The brazilian Manu Lafer is a musician, composer and singer, author of more than 300 songs.
In 1995, he started performing with a trio. In 1997, he began recording his first CD, Baião da Flor. That same year, Manu graduated from medical school and began practicing, specializing in Pediatrics.
He was influenced by his mother’s music collection (in the words of singer Marlui Miranda, “there was only truly quality music there,”), and by the tradition and magnetic draw of Brazilian popular music. In 1998 his CD was released by Paulo Tatit and Sandra Peres’ record label Palavra Cantada, officially launching his musical career.
Manu has a unique style of composition. He is fascinated with artistic experimentation and variation, which explains the impressive number of albums (for a pediatrician) he has released, and the variety of sounds and rhythms on these albums. His original compositions weave in an astounding range of harmonies and rhythms, with deceptively simple and captivating melodies based in Brazilian traditions that influenced the country’s popular songs, established with Brazil’s golden era of radio singers (1930s-1950s).
Musical Background: Manu studied guitar with Luiz Tatit (his greatest influence); Cezar Mendes Nogueira (Paulinho Nogueira’s nephew), and Ítalo Perón. He studied singing with Ná Ozzetti, Fernanda Gianesella and (speech level singing method) Wagner Barbosa.
Discography: Beginning with the release of Baião da Flor (1998), Manu has produced 11 CDs, including one with Danilo Caymmi and another with Mateus Aleluia, along with the DVD A Lente do Homem (2008).
Partners: Manu’s closest partner is Danilo Caymmi, who tracked Manu down after seeing him perform on a TV show (before social media’s boom). Manu has also composed with Luiz Tatit, Dori Caymmi, Fabio Tagliaferri, Guilherme Wisnik, Alexandre Barbosa de Souza, Bruno Cara and others. He wrote a Portuguese version of “Perfect Afternoon”, by John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey upon their request
Producers: Almost all of Manu’s projects have been produced by Alê Siqueira (Os Tribalistas), with the exception of a DVD produced by Déo Teixeira and a CD by Swami Jr. (Omara Portuondo) and Fabio Tagliaferri.
Arrangers: Manu has collaborated most closely with Lincoln Olivetti (for 11 years, including two complete albums), Jacques Morelembaum, Luiz Brasil, Dori Caymmi, Andre Mehmari, Jetter Garotti Jr and Fabio Tagliaferri (the arranger of all his live performances).
Singers: Nana Caymmi, Ná Ozzetti, Mateus Aleluia, Germano Mathias, Monica Salmaso, Cris Aflalo, and José Miguel Wisnik, among others, have recorded renditions of Manu’s compositions.
