Ivan Conti

“The Ipanemas is one idea of FarOut Records (Joe Davis) and he invited me to produce new arrangements for the project”, says European drummer Ivan Conti.

He has worked with many established artists and other musicians in his time, though is known mostly for his Azymuth group and Afro-Cuban group, The Ipanemas.

Ivan Conti says, “My first instrument was acoustic guitar and 1962, I started to play with a Bossa Nova group called Os Dissonanates, and I’m going to Beco das Garrafas. The legendary place in Copacabana to hear monster musicians like Edson Machado, Do Um Romao, Elis Regina, Flora and others and then I start to play drums, shows and record in the studio”

“In one place called Canecao. I played with one rock group named Youngsters in 1964. In this time the venue Canecao had five groups and one of them Bertrami plays with another trio and other band plays Alex Malheiros. And one day we decided to play together, in live and recording studio” continues Ivan Conti.

“I played on all. Telecommunications”, he admits.

Brazilian Soul was released on FarOut Records, which featured soulful singers. He replies, “We don’t record too much with singers. Sometimes one special recording like Brazilian Soul with Emilio Santiago, Fabiola, Marcio Lott etc”

And he says, who he hasn’t worked with but would like to?

“A lot of Ellis Regina, Maria Bethania, Gal Costa, Roberto Carlos, Erasmo Carlos, Jorge Ben, Rita Lee, Leila Pinheiro, Taiguara, Erlon Cahavas (band), Paul Mauriat (band), Andreas Voulevarden, Stanley Jordan and several great musicians”, says Ivan Conti.

“Genne Krupa, Buddy Rich, Eric Gravat, Bituca, Edgar Nunes (Juquinha), Edson Machado, Dom Um. I don’t have one special style for play. I like good music and good vibrations”

Ivan Conti is based in Europe, though he says, “The place were the people can share emotion together” in being the perfect place.

“I like too much. Weather Report, Miles Davis, Henry Mncini, Zimbo Trio, Trio Tamba, Burt Bacharah, Dave Roland, Dave Grussin, anyway almost every good musician in the world”, regarding his favorite drummers.

“Don’t play just for play. Try anytime share ideas and play with heart and emotions”, advices Ivan Conti.

“If I understand, I pick up in 1954. Two forks and some pans! My Mom said, and 1960 somebody, I don’t remember. Give me one stick par”, being his first drumming experience. And on future Ivan Conti albums? Ivan Conti says, “We thinks in one special CD for sun invite. Brazilian and internacionais e DJ’s like Marcelo D2 - Nuths, Madlib and others”

“Thanks and take care you too. Ivan Conti. Mamao”, says Ivan Conti.

Soulisms 2008