Fredera

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Frederico Mendonça de Oliveira, Frederyko

Years active

1968

Genres

mpb, jazz, progressive rock, samba

Instruments

electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass

Biography

Frederico Mendonça de Oliveira, artistically known as Fredera, is a Brazilian musician, composer, visual artist, journalist, and researcher, born in Rio de Janeiro on May 20, 1945. Self-taught, Fredera developed his musical talent by listening to jazz and classical music on the radio and from his family's record collection, shaping his taste for "modern" music. His professional career began in 1968, a year in which he grew close to figures like Milton Nascimento, Wagner Tiso, and Marilton Borges, with whom he would come to be part of the influential Clube da Esquina.

Throughout his career, Fredera has been a member of important musical groups, such as A Turma da Pilantragem and, notably, Som Imaginário, the band with which he accompanied Milton Nascimento in various national and international shows and recordings. His skill as a guitarist led him to collaborate with a wide range of renowned artists of Brazilian music, including Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Raul Seixas, Beto Guedes, Ivan Lins, and Gonzaguinha. In 1981, he released his acclaimed solo LP "Aurora Vermelha", a milestone in his career as a guitarist, composer, and arranger.

Since 1984, Fredera has resided in Alfenas, Minas Gerais, where he has expanded his activities into visual arts, literature, and journalism. His musical work is recognized for its originality and deep connection to spirituality, with compositions that, according to the artist himself, "came down" to him. In addition to his vast discography, Fredera is also dedicated to music education, sharing his experience and artistic vision with new generations.