Raul de Souza

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Raulzinho do Trombone, João José Pereira de Souza, Raulzinho

Years Active

1957–2020

Genres

samba-jazz, jazz, jazz fusion, bossa nova

Instruments

trombone, saxophone, tenor saxophone, souzabone

Biography

Raul de Souza, born João José Pereira de Souza, was an acclaimed Brazilian trombonist and saxophonist whose career spanned several decades. Renowned for his swinging improvisations and mastery of samba-jazz, he famously received his artistic moniker from Ary Barroso, who felt his birth name sounded too traditional for a trombone virtuoso. Beyond his technical brilliance, he invented the "souzabone," a custom four-valve piston trombone equipped with electronic effects that expanded the instrument's range and sonic possibilities.

Throughout his illustrious career, he collaborated with numerous legendary figures in Brazilian and international music, recording and performing with artists such as Sérgio Mendes, Milton Nascimento, Baden Powell, Sivuca, and Airto Moreira. His 1975 album Colors became a point of study at the Berklee College of Music, while his late-1970s excursions into American funk and jazz fusion yielded major international success with releases like Sweet Lucy. Despite facing personal and health challenges, including a car accident that temporarily forced him to focus on the tenor saxophone, he remained active in music until his retirement and passing in Paris.

Discography

• Colors (1975)
• Sweet Lucy (1977)
• Daisy Mae (1978)
• Don't Ask My Neighbors (1978)
• 'Til Tomorrow Comes (1979)
• Viva Volta (1986)
• Alex Merck & Painted Birds (2) With Special Guest Raoul de Souza – Minds And Bodies (1986)
• The Other Side Of The Moon (1993)
• Raul de Souza Featuring Conrad Herwig – Rio (1999)
• No Palco! (Ao Vivo) (2000)
• Raul de Souza & Claire Michael Group – Elixir (2004)
• After In Paris Featuring Raul de Souza – Jazz Now (2005)
• Jazzmin (2006)
• Jazzmim (2007)
• After In Paris & Raul de Souza – Absolutely Funk (2007)
• Raul de Souza com/with João Donato, Luiz Alves & Robertinho Silva – Bossa Eterna (2008)
• Soul & Creation (2008)
• O Universo Musical de Raul de Souza (2012)
• Brazilian Samba Jazz (2016)
• Viviane de Farias With Paulo Morello And Kim Barth And Special Guest Raul de Souza – Vivi (2017)
• Blue Voyage (2018)
• Jobim's Tribute, Vol. 1 (2018)
• Curitiba 58 (2020)
• Um Som Azul (2022)
• Livro de Partituras - Play Along (2022)