Biography

Gamo Da Paz
Master Percussionist

Biography
Gamo Da Paz was born in Salvador, Bahia and raised in the lineage of the Candomblé tradition of the Ketu nation. As a Master Drummer from the house of Gantois, Gamo is one of the few drummers who plays ceremonial and healing rhythms in the most renowned religious houses in Brazil and internationally.

Occupation
Singer, Musician, Percussionist, and Master of Afro-Brazilian Rhythms and Folk Music.



Professional Experience:

Candomblé Master Drummer

Bahia, Brazil
1977-present
Initiated into the tradition of Candomblé in 1977. Appointed Lead Drummer and Singer during traditional Orixa ceremonies.
Endorser
1993-present
Bauer Percussion. Serve as an endorser for a major percussion company. Responsible for promotions and marketing of Bauer products during performance and teaching engagements.
Music Director
USA, 2002-present
Quimbanda. Music Director and founder of a Samba Reggae drum ensemble. Responsible for teaching rhythms and drumming techniques as well as orchestrating drum rhythms. Performances in the Bay Area, southern California, as well as consecutive years in the San Francisco Carnaval since 2003.
USA, 2003-04 Aguas Da Bahia. Music Director for a California Bay area Modern/Brazilian Dance company. Performances in Northern and Southern California.
USA, 2001-02 Ginga Brasil. Music Director for a California Bay area Brazilian Dance company. Performances in the Bay Area.
USA, 1999 Ballet Folclorico do Brazil (Brazilian Folk Ballet). Music Director of a traditional Brazilian dance company during a United States tour to Alaska, Reno, NV and Los Angeles, CA.
USA, 1998 Ballet Folclorico do Brazil (Brazilian Folk Ballet). Music Director of a traditional Brazilian dance company during a United States tour to Reno, NV and Los Angeles, CA.
Asia, 1998 Ballet Folclorico do Brazil (Brazilian Folk Ballet). Music Director of a traditional Brazilian dance company during an International tour to Singapore.
USA, 1997 Ballet Folclorico do Brazil (Brazilian Folk Ballet). Music Director of a traditional Brazilian dance company during a United States tour to Reno, NV and Los Angeles, CA.
Percussion Head
International Tour
1990-1994
Oba-Oba Company. Performed as a Percussion Head during a International tour to U.S.A (New York, Washington, Boston, Miami, Las Vegas and Reno), France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy.
Brazil 1987 Ballet Foclorico da Bahia (Bahian Folk Ballet). Performed as a Percussion head during a Brazilian tour to Rio de Janeiro, Joinville, Salvador.
Percussionist
USA, 1997-99
Ballet Folclorico do Brazil. Workshop and Performances in over 20 California schools during USA National Tour.
USA, 1996 Caribbean Cultural Center. Candomblé Percussionist for the 20th Anniversary of the Carribbean Cultural Center held in New York.
USA, 1996 Modupe Orisha Conference. Invited as a guest artist during this cultural conference held in New York, NY.
Brazil, 1988 Gilberto Gil. Toured with Grammy award winner singer and songwriter in over ten cities in Brazil.
Brazil, 1982-86 Teatro Castro Alves. Several performances with the most Traditional stage for musicians and percussionist in Bahia, Brazil.
International Tour
1982-85
Viva-Bahia Musical Troup. Performed as a percussionist during an international tour to Italy, Germany, France, USA.
TV Appearances USA, 2004 "Telemundo." Directed and performed with Quimbanda as promotion for participation in the San Francisco Carnaval 2004.
Brazil, 1999 "Rede Globo de Televisao" - Nos 500 Anos do Brazil. (Special of "Global Network of Television" - Our 500 Years of Brazil). Highlighted as a solo artist on a popular local television broadcast.
Italy, 1994 "Pipibaudo." Performed with Oba Oba on a popular local television broadcast as part of promotion for the Oba Oba international tour.
Teaching
USA, 2001-present
Candomblé and Brazilian Percussion. Teach classes in traditional Candomblé rhythms and song, and accompanying Brazilian percussions in several locations in the California Bay Area. Drums and percussions include: agogo congas, and atabaque.
USA, 2001-present Samba Reggae. Teach drumming techniques for several types of drums used for Samba Reggae rhythms. Drums include: surdo, timbal, repique, caixa, and other Brazilian percussions.
USA, 2003-04 Basic Brazilian Percussion. Taught Middle school children basic Brazilian percussion techniques in California Bay area middle schools. Provide lecture demonstrations at the conclusion of workshops.
USA, 2001-03 International California Brazil Music and Dance Summer Camp. Taught several workshops on Percussion and folk rhythms from Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
USA, 2001 UC Davis. Taught Brazilian percussion for college students during a two-day workshop.
USA, 1995-99 Basic Brazilian Percussion. Taught Middle school children basic Brazilian percussion techniques during a USA performing tour in Los Angeles, CA, Reno, NV, and Alaska. Provide lecture demonstrations at the conclusion of workshops.
Germany, 1989 UFA Fabrik International Cultural Center. Taught classes on Candomblé and Brazilian Percussion.
Recordings / CD's
2000
Odum Orim. Unique collection of Candomblé songs produced by Fora Gil, wife of Grammy Award winning artist, Gilberto Gil. Music Director: Gamo da Paz and Yomar Passos. Editorial review at http://www.locavoices.org.uk/issuelarticle6.asp)
2001 Rosario dos Pretos. Collection of religious songs performed by a collaboration of Brazilian artists.
2001 Quatro Nacoes. Music Director of traditional Candomblé songs.
1989 Swing Samba Fama band. Collection of popular Samba Music of Brazil.

Reviews of Gamo's Percussion performances, Music Direction, and song-writing credits

Isto E Gente Magazine about Odum Orim: "The most expressive phonographic recording of Candomblé ."

Caetano Veloso, Grammy winner Brazilian singer and song-writer: "The chants flow so lively and meaningfully never seen in another folk or anthropologic recording."

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