Wander Taffo

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years active

1973–2008

Genres

rock, pop rock, pop

Instruments

guitar, vocals

Biography

Wander Taffo was a renowned Brazilian singer and guitarist born in São Paulo, where he also passed away in 2008. Recognized as one of the country's greatest guitar virtuosos, he left an indelible mark on the Brazilian rock and pop scene through his work with prominent bands and legendary artists. Throughout his career, he collaborated with musical heavyweights such as Rita Lee, Cássia Eller, and Guilherme Arantes, while also lending his guitar prowess to groups like Secos & Molhados, Made in Brazil, and Joelho de Porco.

In 1981, Taffo co-founded Rádio Táxi, a band that achieved mainstream success with hits like "Garota Dourada" and "Coisas de Casal". Later in the decade, he embarked on a solo career and formed the Banda Taffo alongside musicians such as Andria Busic and Ivan Busic. His self-titled 1989 debut solo album featured contributions from notable Brazilian artists like Herbert Vianna, Lulu Santos, and Lobão, and was produced by Liminha. The record won the Prêmio da Música Brasileira for Male Pop Rock Revelation.

Beyond his performance and recording career, Taffo dedicated his later years to music education by founding the Instituto de Guitarra e Tecnologia (IG&T) in 1997, which became a premier institution for musicians in Latin America. Although he briefly reunited with Rádio Táxi in the 2000s, his sudden death in May 2008 cut short plans for a Banda Taffo revival. His enduring legacy as a guitar icon was cemented when Rolling Stone Brazil named him one of the thirty greatest Brazilian guitar and acoustic guitar masters.