ANATOMY OF AN IMPROVISER: THE STYLE OF NAILOR AZEVEDO “PROVETA
Manuel Silveira Falleiros
1.4. Musical Production
Nailor’s musical output is abundant, continuous, and diverse, yet it still lacks systematic organization. His work is not structured according to any formal categorization. Given his collaborations with a wide array of artists across multiple musical genres, it is often difficult—even for Nailor himself—to recall every episode of his professional trajectory. Data collected from colleagues, alternative sources, and online platforms frequently present inconsistent or contradictory information. Accordingly, this section provides an overview of his musical production, organized into clearly defined areas of activity, focusing on those elements deemed most significant for the development of his musical maturity.
His authorial works consist of two albums recorded with Banda Mantiqueira, of which he serves as leader and arranger: Aldeia and Bixiga. The first CD was released in 1997 under the Pau Brasil label and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998 in the category of Best Latin Jazz Performance. The second CD was released in 1999, also under the Pau Brasil label. Both albums feature arrangements of celebrated themes from Brazilian popular music, as well as original compositions by group members, including Proveta himself. Banda Mantiqueira emerged as one of the responses to the aspirations of a generation of musicians fluent in the big band idiom but seeking a distinctly Brazilian expressive voice. The ensemble has participated in numerous international music festivals and remains a frequent presence on the global circuit. Notable appearances include the 1996 centenary celebrations of Pixinguinha, an invitation to represent Brazil at Expo ’98 in Portugal (1998), performances at the Free Jazz Festival in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (1998), and a presentation at Sala São Paulo for the launch of their second album (2000).
Among his works as a featured instrumentalist and arranger, notable recordings include collaborations with: Simone, Raul Seixas, Cláudia, Célia, Peri Ribeiro, Agnaldo Rayol, Nelson Gonçalves, Ana Caram, Celso Viáfora, Genebra, Vânia Bastos, Jane Duboc, Guinga, Joyce, Martinho da Vila, Elza Soares, and Mônica Salmaso. He has also contributed to albums by some of the most active figures in the Brazilian instrumental music scene, including: Arismar do Espírito Santo (10 Anos, Estação Brasil), Sérgio Santos (África, Mulato), Celso Viáfora (Cara do Brasil), Jane Duboc and Sebastião Tapajós (Da Minha Terra), Tutty Moreno (Forças D’Alma), Mônica Salmaso (Iaiá), Eduardo Gudin and Fátima Guedes (Luzes da Mesma Luz), the group Terra Brasil (Mestiço), Teco Cardoso (Meu Brasil), the Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica (Música Popular do Brasil), Ná Ozzetti (Ná), Léa Freire (Ninhal), Nelson Ayres (Perto do Coração), Carlinhos Antunes (Paisagem Bailarina), Filó Machado (Porto Seguro), Sizão Machado (Quinto Elemento), Toninho Ferragutti (Sanfonemas), and the homonymous group Moderna Tradição, which specializes in reinterpretations of choro.
In 1994, he performed as a soloist with the Orquestra da Universidade Livre de Música in São Paulo.
His list of international collaborations includes performances with: Benny Carter, Roger Newman, Anita O’Day, Paul West, Joe Williams, Barry White, Natalie Cole, Paquito D’Rivera, and the Ray Conniff Orchestra, with which he undertook multiple tour dates across Brazil.
In smaller ensemble settings, he has performed with César Camargo Mariano at the Kirin The Club during the Tokyo Jazz Festival in 1994, and later at the Blue Note Club in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1996. Accompanying singer-songwriter Joyce, he appeared at the Latin & Brazilian Jazz Festival in Tokyo in 1996. In 2000, alongside Maurício Carrilho, Pedro Amorim, and Jorginho do Pandeiro, he performed at the Latiu Jazz Festival in Tokyo, Nagoya, Gifu, and Hiroshima.
His pedagogical activities comprise lectures and workshops. He has been invited to teach music and saxophone courses, including: Só Sax at SESC Consolação (São Paulo, SP); the Band Projects program of the São Paulo State Secretariat of Culture; the Winter Festival of Campos do Jordão (1994, 1995); the VII Music Workshop of Curitiba (1999); the Federal University of Paraíba (1999); the VIII Music Workshop of Curitiba (2000); Big Band Practice at the Federal University of Paraíba (2000); the III Music Workshop of Itajaí; and the III Music Workshop of Goiás. He currently teaches a course at the Universidade Livre de Música titled “Prática da Linguagem Brasileira da Música Popular” (Practice of the Brazilian Language of Popular Music), in which he develops ensemble performance focused on the Brazilian repertoire for big band, coreto, and gafieira.
His most recent authorial project is the album Terra Mantiqueira, recorded with Banda Mantiqueira, featuring original arrangements and compositions.