Celso Murilo

Origin

Baependi, MG

Also known as

Celso Levenhagen

Genres

samba-jazz, bossa nova, instrumental music, MPB

Instruments

hammond organ, piano, organ

Biography

Celso Murilo, born Celso Levenhagen in Baependi, Minas Gerais, is a renowned Brazilian musician, arranger, and composer. He emerged as a prominent organist within the instrumental bossa nova and samba-jazz movements during the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his virtuosic command of the Hammond organ, he contributed significantly to the genre's distinct percussive sound and vibrant groove.

Relocating to Rio de Janeiro in 1959, his professional career began serendipitously when he substituted for an ailing pianist at the Arpège nightclub, leading to an immediate residency. During this formative period, he collaborated with legendary figures of Brazilian popular music such as Tom Jobim, Lúcio Alves, and João Gilberto, who affectionately nicknamed him "Mineirão." His dynamic performances quickly established him as a sought-after sideman and bandmate, eventually even substituting for Luiz Eça in the legendary Tamba Trio.

In 1961, Murilo embarked on a prolific recording career with the Pawal label, releasing an influential trilogy of albums that included Sambas na Passarela and Mr. Ritmo. Over the decades, his extensive discography expanded to encompass numerous instrumental albums blending samba and jazz, with several of his classic works later restored and reissued digitally by the Discobertas label. Maintaining a lifelong dedication to musical dissemination, he eventually returned to his hometown to host a specialized radio program sharing his deep expertise with listeners.

Discography

• Celso Murilo & Conjunto Drink – Isto É o Drink (1960)
• Férias no Drink (1962)
• Órgão & Ritmo (1963)
• Mr. Ritmo (2003)
• Boleros (2015)
• Bossa Nova - O Luxo Brasileiro (2015)
• Celso Murilo Interpreta Roberto Carlos (2015)
• Sambas na Passarela (2026)
• Disco de Ouro
• Roberto Rutz, Celso Murilo – Latino - Robert Rutz e Seu órgão Maravilhoso