Arthur Maia

Biography

Arthur Maia started his musical studies playing drums as a child. At 15, he received a bass as a gift and, influenced by his uncle Luizão Maia, a Brazilian bass player, began to practice it. He later became a professional bass player, playing with Ivan Lins, Luiz Melodia and Márcio Montarroyos. In 1985, he joined the band Cama de Gato, a Brazilian jazz group formed by Rique Pantoja (piano), Pascoal Meirelles (drums), Mauro Senise (saxophone) and Maia (bass).

With it, he recorded five albums, and was a special guest on their sixth album. He also joined instrumental music bands Pulsar, Banda Black Rio and Egotrip; their songs were much played on Brazilian radio in the 1980s. In 2015 Maia joined the band El General Paz & La Triple Frontera (GP3F), a multicultural fusion band. In 1986, Maia recorded an album dedicated to Tom Jobim and Heitor Villa-Lobos with Gilson Peranzzetta: Tom & Villa.

During his career, Maia developed his own style of playing bass, mastering bass techniques and mixing several rhythms. In Brazil, he played with Jorge Benjor, Gal Costa, Lulu Santos, Caetano Veloso, Roberto Carlos, Martinho da Vila, Djavan, Milton Nascimento, Marisa Monte, Fernanda Froes Pruett, Leila Pinheiro and César Camargo Mariano; abroad, with Ernie Watts, Sheila E., Pat Metheny, Carlos Santana, George Benson, Paquito de Rivera and Plácido Domingo.

He played in festivals such as Free Jazz Festival, Heineken Concerts, Paris Jazz Festival, Montreaux Jazz Festival. In 1990, Maia recorded his first solo album, which won the Prêmio Sharp award one year later.

In 1996, he recorded his second album, well received by critics, and in 2002 recorded Planeta música, with Dennis Chambers and Mike Stern. In 2005, Maia organized a tribute to his uncle at the Mistura Fina Pub, Rio de Janeiro, with singer Leny Andrade. Maia died from cardiac arrest on December 15, 2018.