Tranka

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Tranka Oliveira

Years Active

1965–2012

Genres

MPB, samba, bossa nova

Instruments

piano, keyboards, saxophone, guitar, flute, bass

Biography

Tranka, born Tranka Oliveira, is a Brazilian composer, maestro, and multi-instrumentalist known for his work across various genres, including MPB, samba, and bossa nova. He is proficient in piano, keyboard, saxophone, guitar, flute, and bass.

Between 1993 and 1998, Tranka resided in Saint Martin in the French Antilles with his wife and singer, Marcia Calmon. During this period, he composed approximately 500 jingles for the production company Tape Spot. In 1965, he released his first album, "As boas novas com o Tranka," on the Multisound label, where he performed popular hits of the era on tenor saxophone.

In 2001, Tranka and Marcia Calmon released the CD "Tranka e Marcia – Sob Medida" under Somil Record, produced by William Luna. This album featured interpretations of classics by Tom Jobim, Alberto Ribeiro, João de Barro, João Bosco, Jorge Benjor, Djavan, Dolores Duran, Baden Powell, Vinicius de Moraes, Dorival Caymmi, Carlos Lyra, Ary Barroso, Vicente Paiva, Paulinho Soledad, Chico Buarque, and Ivan Lins. Tranka Oliveira played keyboards, guitar, and percussion, with musical production by William Luna and arrangements by both Marcia Calmon and Tranka Oliveira.

Tranka has also collaborated with other artists, including singer Miguel Angel, who included the composition "Dá bola" (co-written with Luiz Sérgio Pacce) on his album "Samba na onda." Additionally, Peter Thomas recorded Tranka's compositions "Dá Bola," "Bicho," "Pé Duro," and "Tião" (all co-written with Luiz Sérgio Pacce) on his LP "O novo som espetacular." Tranka also played electric bass on this record. The group Primo Trio, formed by João Antônio Peixoto Primo (piano), Tranka Oliveira (acoustic bass), and Luis Sérgio Pacce (drums), recorded "Olha a Favela" (co-written with Luiz Sergio Pacce) for the "Primo Trio" LP released by Musidisc.