Célia Vaz

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1968–2022

Genres

mpb, latin jazz, jazz fusion, bossa nova, brazilian jazz, brazilian boogie

Instruments

vocals, violin, guitar, viola

Biography

Célia Vaz is a distinguished Brazilian violinist, arranger, composer, and singer, born in Rio de Janeiro on May 4, 1948. Her musical journey began in the 1960s at the Brazilian Conservatory of Music, where she honed her skills. She also took guitar lessons from notable musicians Sidney Miller and Jards Macalé. Vaz's career gained significant traction when her composition "Lembrança" was recorded by Dóris Monteiro and performed at the Festival Universitário de Música Popular do Rio de Janeiro. This led to her receiving a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she graduated in Arrangement and Composition in 1976. During her time in the U.S., she participated in various concerts and recordings, including arranging for Dom Um Romão's album "Hotmosphere."

Upon returning to Brazil in 1976, Vaz continued her studies in harmony with conductor and composer Guerra Peixe. She established herself as a sought-after arranger, working with a wide array of prominent Brazilian artists such as Joyce, Martinho da Vila, Billy Eckstine, and the Quarteto em Cy, for whom she also served as musical director, arranger, and guitarist from 1987 to 1994. Her solo career began to flourish in the 1980s with the release of her debut album "Mutação," which featured an appearance by Pat Metheny. She has since released several acclaimed solo albums, including "Célia Vaz" (1995), which earned her the Prêmio Sharp de Música, and "Ebb and Flow" (1999).

In addition to her performance and arranging career, Vaz has also dedicated herself to education, teaching vocal arranging courses in the Netherlands, the United States, and various cities in Brazil. In 2003, she formed the vocal group "Nós Quatro" with Marcio Lott, Ana Zinger, and Fabyola Sendino. Vaz's extensive discography and her collaborations with numerous artists underscore her significant contribution to Brazilian music, solidifying her reputation as a versatile and influential figure in the industry.