Rubens Barsotti

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Rubinho Barsotti

Years active

1950–2010

Genres

bossa nova, jazz, samba-jazz, instrumental Brazilian music

Instruments

drums

Biography

Rubens Alberto Barsotti, widely known as Rubinho Barsotti, was a prominent Brazilian drummer and composer born in São Paulo. His journey in music began during his childhood when he first explored a drum kit left behind by an orchestra at a family wedding. As an autodidact, he immersed himself in the vibrant music scene of the 1950s, eventually dropping out of law school to dedicate his life entirely to performance and composition. Throughout his illustrious career, he collaborated with numerous legendary jazz musicians and icons of Brazilian popular music.

In 1964, Barsotti co-founded the legendary Zimbo Trio alongside pianist Amilton Godói and bassist Luís Chaves, a group that would become a cornerstone of Brazilian instrumental music and bossa nova. Alongside his performance career, he helped establish the Centro Livre de Aprendizagem Musical (CLAM) in 1973, dedicating decades to music education and shaping generations of new artists. His work with the Zimbo Trio spanned numerous acclaimed albums, international tours, and notable collaborations with artists such as Elis Regina and Elizeth Cardoso.

Barsotti remained an influential figure in Brazilian jazz and samba-jazz until health issues related to Alzheimer's disease led to his retirement from the Zimbo Trio in 2010. He passed away in April 2020 following complications from a surgical procedure after a fall. His legacy endures through his extensive discography and the enduring impact of CLAM on Brazilian music education.