Neco

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Daudeth Azevedo, Neco do Violão

Years Active

1957–2009

Genres

bossa nova, samba, brazilian jazz

Instruments

guitar, cavaquinho, 7-string guitar, viola, banjo, electric guitar

Biography

Daudeth Azevedo, widely known as Neco, was a highly respected Brazilian guitarist, composer, and arranger, born in Rio de Janeiro on September 23, 1932. He was a self-taught musician who mastered multiple instruments, including the guitar, cavaquinho, 7-string guitar, viola, banjo, and electric guitar. Neco's career spanned over four decades as a studio musician in Rio de Janeiro, where he played on hundreds of albums for numerous Brazilian popular music artists. His recording debut occurred in 1957, and he also studied harmony with renowned maestros Guerra Peixe and Moacir Santos.

Neco's extensive discography includes several solo albums such as "Samba em nova concepção" (1963), "Coquetel bossa nova – Neco e seu violão" (1963), "Samba e violão" (1967), and "Samba e violão Vol. 2" (1968). He was a pivotal member of influential groups like Os Ipanemas, alongside Astor Silva, Rubens Bassini, Wilson das Neves, and Luiz Marinho, contributing to their albums in the 1960s and later in the 2000s. Additionally, he was part of Banda Veneno (led by Erlon Chaves), Os Catedráticos (led by Eumir Deodato), and Os Gatos (led by Durval Ferreira).

Throughout his illustrious career, Neco collaborated with a vast array of Brazilian music icons, including Miltinho, Roberto Carlos, Elis Regina, Beth Carvalho, Tim Maia, Milton Nascimento, Raul Seixas, Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, and many others. His distinctive guitar playing and arrangements significantly shaped the sound of Brazilian popular music. Neco do Violão passed away on August 24, 2009, in Rio de Janeiro, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of Brazil's most important guitarists of his generation.