Paraphernalia

Anyone who has witnessed this band set fire to the havens of the underground Rio de Janeiro scene, like the extinct Cine Buraco or the more recent Pista 3, knows very well: Paraphernalia has one of the most exciting shows, that go out from Rio to the world. The freshness and musicality of the young and talented band members, added to the vibes of a crowd who likes hot instrumental music, makes a Paraphernalia show an almost transcendental experience.

Paraphernalia’s embryo was formed in 2001, when guitarist Bernardo Bosisio and bass player Alberto Continentino got together for a new project. After some lineup changes the group settled to its current formation, with some of the most experienced and requested musicians of the Rio scene: Donatinho on the keyboards, Felipe Pinaud on the flute, Leandro Joaquim on the trumpet, Marlon Sette on the trombone, Renato "Massa" Calmon on the drums and Joca Perpignan, percussionist, besides Bosisio and Continentino.

In the past years, many of the band members played in the records and shows of Marcos Valle, João Donato, Eumir Deodato, Lincoln Olivetti, Kassin, Gal Costa, Celso Fonseca, Vanessa da Matta and Adriana Calcanhotto, among others, in addition to taking part in parallel projects such as Sobrado 112, Abayomy Afrobeat Orquestra and Fino Coletivo.

Paraphernalia’s sound is a dancing and pop instrumental music, potent and free from conventions and virtuosity, and encompassing a wide range of rhythms and possibilities, with influences that go from the soundtracks of movies and series from the 60s to 80s – but without the devotion to the US – to African and Latin music, jazz, samba, funk, disco, soul, psychedelia and contemporary music.

The band has played in the main venues of Rio de Janeiro (Studio RJ, Circo Voador, OI Futuro Ipanema, Teatro Rival, Teatro Odisseia, SESC Ginástico, Teatro SESI, Sala Funarte, among others) and in the festivals Humaitá pra peixe (RJ), Savassi Festival (BH), Goyaz Festival (GO) and Rock in Rio 2011. Some of these shows have featured João Donato, Marcos Valle, Carlos Dafé, Hyldon, Thalma de Freitas, Kassin, among others. In addition, the band took part in Multishow’s TV program “Experimente” and contributed to the soundtrack of HBO series “Preamar”.

To overcome the challenge of bringing its live energy to the studio, Paraphernalia joined forces with super-producer Kassin, and the experienced Ricardo Garcia, who after some time dedicated to top quality mastering work has gone back to producing records. Further talent is added by recording and mixing engineer Duda Mello, nominated for the Latin Grammy in 2005 for his work in Jet-Samba, by Marcos Valle, and producer of the acclaimed Liebe Paradiso, by Celso Fonseca and Ronaldo Bastos. It was with this dream team that the band recorded, practically live in the studiom using an analogical system, the 11 original and previously unreleased songs of RITMO EXPLOSIVO.

http://www.paraphernaliabrasil.com.br/

Alberto Continentino - Bass
He was born and bred in a family of musicians and music teachers, such as his grandma Salomea Gandelman, his uncle Leo Gandelman and his brothers Jorge and Kiko Continentino. He started to play professionally when he was 15 and, since then, has played with Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, João Donato, Bud Shank, Jaques Morelenbaum, Stefano Bollani, Marcos Valle, Paulo Moura, Leo Gandelman, Edu Lobo, Dori Caymmi, Kassin, Domenico e Moreno Veloso, Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Naná Vasconcelos, Luciana Souza, Ed Motta, Leszek Mozdzer, Cassia Eller, Fernanda Abreu, Pepeu Gomes, Paula Morelembaum, Adriana Calcanhoto, Vanessa da Matta, among others.

Bernardo Bosisio – Electric Guitar
Music has always been present in the life of Bernardo Bosisio. His uncle, Paulo Bosisio, is a well-known violinist, and from the age of 6 Bernardo played the guitar. When he was 19 he received a scholarship to study in the famous Berklee College of Music, in Boston, where he was lauded as one of the top students of his class.
Back to Brazil in 1999, Bernardo started his professional life working in the field of instrumental music, with artists such as Nico Assumpção, Pascoal Meirelles, Robertinho Silva, Paulo Moura, Leo Gandelman, Marcio Montarroyos and singers like Leila Pinheiro, Simone, Vitor Ramil, Paulinho Moska, among others. Currently, he is a member of the group Pagode Jazz sardinhas Club, which won the Tim award of best instrumental group in 2004, and plays for artists Vitor Ramil, Virginia Rodrigues, Jorge Vercillo and Emilio Santiago.

Donatinho - Keyboard
Photographer and musician.
www.donatinho.com
www.coletivoluna.com.br

Renato "Massa" Calmon - Drums
His first instrument was the guitar but he changed to the drums when he was 15 years old. At age 20 he joined the bands of Robertinho de Recife and singer and composer Fagner. He took part in records and shows of many different Brazilian musicians such as Marcos Valle, Eumir Deodato, Leo Ga