Biography
Singer/songwriter Mônica Vasconcelos has recorded six albums. The most recent, Hih, includes songs written in collaboration with British cult legend Robert Wyatt, who also sings backing vocals on the tracks. She can also be heard singing with Wyatt on his new album, Comic Opera. Based in London for over a decade, she remains however deeply rooted in the Brazil she loves and which inspires so much of her songwriting.
Mônica was born in São Paulo, the tough, money driven Southeastern city where all of Brazil meets. From her Pernambucana mother she inherited the music of Northeast Brazil - Baião, Frevo, Maracatu and Xote - as well as a warmth of heart and the love of telling stories. She inherited ideals and perhaps a certain rebellious, eccentric spirit from her Mineiro father, a much loved doctor and professor at São Paulo University.
At 13, Mônica became hooked on Bossa Nova and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). She began singing in bars in São Paulo aged 17. Her mother was terribly worried. "Careful with the old dogs", she would beg her daughter. Having sung in bars, music festivals and parties, she was thrilled to be asked to record backing vocals for sambistas Monarco and Nélson Sargento.
She then sought the advice of an experienced musician. "What shall I do to be a great singer?", she asked. Persuing the advice received Mônica joined vocal drama group Beijo, which specialized in large vocal arrangements of the Brazilian pop classics. Singing harmonies with another 15 singers taught her to listen and to love working collectively. Beijo recorded an album in 1992.
That same year, with a degree in Publishing from São Paulo University, she travelled to London to study English. It was time to see the world. In London, she soon met the talented musicians with whom she works to this day. They include Steve Lodder, Ingrid Laubrock, Ife Tolentino, Paul Nieman, Paul Jayasinha, Chris Wells, Dudley Phillips and many others.
Fronting two main projects - nine piece Nóis and quartet Nóis 4 - Mônica performed at world class venues such as The Barbican Hall, Ronnie Scott's, Cadogan hall, Union Chapel. And at festivals like Cheltenham International Jazz Festival and Brecon Jazz.
Amongst many great gigs, she treasures what she calls her “paradise moments”: singing with bossa nova legends Marcos Valle and João Donato at a gala concert in London. Touring England with Brazilian composer and guitarist Guinga. Singing with Brazilian drummer Airto Moreira at the Jazz Cafe, in London. Supporting Brazilian god of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Gilberto Gil. And opening for jazz samba goddess Joyce. In what she calls her lifetime “pop experience”, she supported Bryan Ferry on a tour of English Country Homes!
Her albums bring together original songs by herself and her musical partners as well as unique interpretations of the great Brazilian classics. The CD Gente (Candid Jazz), recorded with Nóis 4, has Guinga as a guest of honour.
2008 sees the release of Mônica's sixth album, Hih (as in feeling high), recorded with her new band. The eponimous group comprises long standing musical partner Steve Lodder as well as Dudley Phillips and Adriano Adewale. On the album, Hih is joined by Robert Wyatt, who collaborated on two songs and is a guest singer on the tracks.
Main projects (bands):
Nóis:
- Steve Lodder (keys and piano)
- Ife Tolentino (acoustic guitar)
- Davide Mantovani (bass)
- Iian Patinson (drums)
- Adriano Pinto (percussion)
- Ingrid Laubrock (saxophones)
- Paul Jayasinha (trumpet)
- Paul Nieman (trombone)
Nóis 4 (Formerly As Meninas):
- Ingrid Laubrock (saxophones)
- Ife Tolentino (guitar)
- Chris Wells (drums/percussion)