Bola Sete, born Djalma de Andrade, was a Brazilian guitarist known for his virtuosic skills and deep melding of samba, jazz, and classical music. Born on July 16, 1923 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sete's stage name, which means "Seven Ball" in Portuguese, stemmed from his pool hall prowess - he was the odd man out in a game of eight-ball. His formative years were influenced by Rio's vibrant musical scene and the choro music of his homeland.

Bola Sete's international acclaim soared in the 1960s when he performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, where his fusion of Brazilian styles with American jazz captivated audiences. His work gained further admiration through collaborations with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Vince Guaraldi, with whom he notably recorded the album "Vince Guaraldi, Bola Sete and Friends." His technique was marked by fleet-fingered precision and a seamless integration of rhythmic complexity and melodic grace. Bola Sete continued to push musical boundaries until his passing on February 14, 1987, leaving behind a rich legacy captured in recordings like "Crystal Garden" and a series of live performances at Seattle’s Penthouse jazz club during the late 1960s, which have posthumously seen the light of day, delighting a new generation of listeners and preserving the magic of his guitar wizardry.

Genres

Bossa Nova

Brazilian Jazz

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Baden Powell

Vinícius de Moraes

Caetano Veloso

Stan Getz

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Toquinho

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Antônio Carlos Jobim

Gilberto Gil

Latest Release

Concert at San Francisco State College

Bola Sete

Album - 14 Tracks - Released February 20, 2024