Grupo Opa

Origin

Montevideo, Uruguai

Years Active

1969–2005

Genres

jazz fusion, candombe rock, latin rock, progressive rock

Instruments

keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, vocals, flute, guitar

Biography

Grupo Opa, originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, emerged on the international music scene in the 1970s, standing out for their innovative fusion of jazz, candombe, and rock. Initially formed by Hugo and Osvaldo Fattoruso, former members of the band Los Shakers, and Ringo Thielmann, the group established their base in the United States, where they developed a unique sound that moved between jazz fusion and Uruguayan rhythmic roots.

Throughout their career, Opa collaborated with renowned musicians, including the Brazilian Airto Moreira, who produced their albums "Goldenwings" (1976) and "Magic Time" (1977). The band also featured artists such as Hermeto Pascoal, Flora Purim, and Rubén Rada, further enriching their sound with elements of samba, bossa nova, and funk. This versatility and the quality of their compositions earned the group respect and recognition in the music scene, especially in New York.

Although their main activity took place between 1969 and 1977, Grupo Opa held reunions and occasional performances in later years, keeping their influence alive. Their music is marked by experimentation and the ability to blend different genres, consolidating Opa as a landmark in the history of Latin American music and a precursor in the fusion of rhythms.

Discography

• Gente Boa (1984)
• Clara Luz (1985)
• É Natal (1997)
• Meninando (1999)
• Novo Tempo (2000)
• Da Criação ao Dilúvio (2003)
• Misa del Jubileo Ignaciano - 2006 (2006)
• Provocação (2007)
• Canções do Opa para Maria (2009)
• Meditação para Paz (Meditation for Peace) (2013)
• Aprendiz (2014)
• Oração em Clima de São João (2019)
• Mercedários, 100 Anos de Volta ao Brasil (2022)
• Missa do Ano Jubilar Inaciano - 2006 (2023)
• Nossa Senhora da Luz (2023)
• Deus do Morro (2024)
• Maria, Perfume de Mil Flores (2026)