Maria do Ceu

Former pupil of Turíbio Santos and a State University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) music graduate, Maria do Céu joined in 1984 Santos' Orquestra de Violões do Rio de Janeiro (Guitar Orchestra). As a member of Santos' Quinteto Clássico, do Céu opened the Free Jazz Festival of São Paulo in 1986. Having also joined the Água de Vintém (1989), she played songs by Chiquinha Gonzaga in a tribute to the female composer/conductor/pianist. In 2000, do Céu launched his first solo CD with compositions by Francisco Soares de Souza, fruit of her research work. Do Céu also has performed with the Samburá Trio, which includes Juliano Barbosa (bassoon) and Di Lutgardes (percussion). ~ Alvaro Neder