Simon Bountman

Origin

Russia

Years active

1923–1941

Genres

samba, maxixe, choro, fox trot, fado-tango, toada brasileira

Instruments

violin, arranger, conductor

Biography

Simon Bountman was a Russian-born maestro and violinist who left a significant mark on Brazilian popular music during the 1920s and 1930s. Arriving in Brazil in 1923, he initially accompanied a Spanish revue company but soon decided to stay, becoming a pivotal arranger for Odeon and Columbia records. He was instrumental in shaping the sound of Brazilian music during a transformative period, working with numerous artists and ensembles.

Bountman quickly established himself in Rio de Janeiro, forming the Jazz-Band Kosarin and later directing the Jazz-Band and the Orquestra Pan American at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. His orchestra provided accompaniment for prominent singers of the era, including Francisco Alves, before his recording career took off. Bountman's arrangements were sought after, and he played a key role in recording sessions, contributing his unique musical perspective to various genres.

His work extended to arranging and conducting for notable recordings, such as the samba "Jura" by Sinhô, famously recorded by Mário Reis. While some historians have noted a tendency to overlook the contributions of European musicians like Bountman in the fusion of sounds occurring in Brazil during the 1920s, his legacy as a skilled arranger and conductor is undeniable. His influence can be heard in the recordings he shaped, and his arrangements were still being utilized decades later, as seen with Vânia Bastos's 1997 album.