BIOGRAPHY
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Antonio Porto was born in Campo Grande in the state Mato Grosso, Brazil. He started his career as composer, guitar– and bass player, percussionist and singer in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where he worked with well known Brazilian artists such as Renato Teixeira or the „Familia Espindola“. His manifold talent he demonstrated in over 50 CD productions. At the end of the 1980ies he decided to move to Europe, in order to gain further professional experience and to broaden his spectrum in the field of music. |
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Antonio Porto found his new home in Vienna, Austria, where he, at first, stayed within the environment of Brazilian music. Among others, he founded a band together with the well known guitar player Alegre Correa and co-arranged Célia Mara’s debut album. It is the encounter with the famous Israeli-Austrian singer Timna Brauer and the Israeli pianist Eli Meiri that opens him up a new world of music. As their guitar- and bass player he joins the ensemble and tours through Europe, Israel, Africa and the United States. His new experience finds its way into his work in Austria and Brazil. He plays on several albums, among others, for accordion virtuoso Otto Lechner and world musician Hubert von Goisern. The latter invites him to become part of his band. Concert tours to Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal and Burkina Faso follow and Antonio Porto gets to play with world famous musicians such as Mohammed Mounir, Falou Djeim and Simenteira.
Debut album "Nômade"
In 2004, Antonio Porto returns to his home town in Mato Grosso to find the atmosphere and tranquillity to compose the songs for his first own album. A few months later, he produces Nômade – a musical travel diary that leads from Brazil via Austria to Africa and Israel. In his compositions Antonio Porto traces back Afro-Brazilian pop to its roots in West Africa. Impressively he plays all instruments himself and especially his guitar- and bass solo parts show his virtuosity. His sentimental and at the same time groovy performance, together with his harmonious voice draw the pictures of his journey – from the mysterious Austrian mountains to the vastness of the Sahara. In his poetical and spiritual lyrics he uses nature images to describe the beauty, but also destruction and inhumanity in this world. The traditional Jewish song “Avinu Malkeinu” and “Da Diab” - a composition by Hubert von Goisern, sang in the local dialect of Bad Goisern - complete the musical diary.
Nômade was published in June 2006 by the Austrian world music label Atlas Music pro.