Tutty Moreno

Origin

Salvador, BA

Years active

1960

Genres

mpb, samba jazz, jazz, bossa nova

Instruments

drums

Biography

Emmanuel Alves Moreno, known artistically as Tutty Moreno, is a prominent Brazilian drummer born in Salvador, Bahia, on October 30, 1947. Initially drawn to the trumpet and alto saxophone, he eventually found his true calling in the drums at age sixteen, heavily influenced by the groundbreaking style of Edison Machado. Throughout his illustrious career, he became an essential figure in both instrumental jazz and Música Popular Brasileira (MPB), participating in landmark recordings and historic tours alongside legendary artists such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, and Chico Buarque.

During the early 1970s, Moreno lived in London and the United States, where he collaborated with notable jazz musicians and contributed to foundational tropicalist albums. In 1977, he began a lifelong personal and professional partnership with singer and songwriter Joyce Moreno, with whom he performed globally and recorded numerous albums. Alongside his work with Joyce, he maintained a prolific career as a studio and touring musician, collaborating with icons like Milton Nascimento, Maria Bethânia, and Alcione.

As a bandleader and conceptualist, Moreno released acclaimed instrumental albums such as 'Tocando, Sentindo, Suando', 'Forças D'Alma', and 'Nonada', the latter of which received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Album in 2008. His innovative drumming style seamlessly bridges traditional Brazilian rhythms with sophisticated modern jazz harmonies, cementing his legacy as one of Brazil's most versatile and respected percussionists.