Zimbo Trio
- Origin
- São Paulo, SP
- Years active
- 1964
- Genres
- instrumental, bossa nova, samba-jazz, MPB
- Instruments
- piano, double bass, drums, electric bass
Biography
Formed in São Paulo in March 1964, the Zimbo Trio is one of the most influential instrumental ensembles in the history of Brazilian music. The original lineup featured Amilton Godói on piano, Luís Chaves on double bass, and Rubinho Barsotti on drums. Their name, "Zimbo," is derived from Afro-Brazilian vocabulary meaning good luck and success, and was also a term for ancient currency used in the Congo, Angola, and colonial Brazil. The group made its debut at the Boate Oásis accompanying singer Norma Bengell in a show produced by Aloysio de Oliveira, where they performed works by legendary composers like Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes.\n\nThe trio achieved national stardom in 1965 as the resident band for the TV Record program 'O Fino da Bossa,' hosted by Elis Regina and Jair Rodrigues. This platform allowed them to showcase their sophisticated blend of bossa nova and jazz to a wide audience. In 1968, they participated in a landmark concert at the Teatro João Caetano alongside Elizeth Cardoso, Jacob do Bandolim, and the ensemble Época de Ouro, a performance that resulted in several historic live recordings. Beyond performance, the group made a lasting impact on Brazilian music education by founding the Centro Livre de Aprendizagem Musical (CLAM) in 1973, a school that has trained generations of professional musicians.\n\nOver a career spanning more than five decades and over 50 albums, the Zimbo Trio toured all five continents, acting as global ambassadors for Brazilian instrumental music. Following the passing of Luís Chaves in 2007 and Rubinho Barsotti in 2020, the group has evolved with new members such as Mario Andreotti and Percio Sapia joining founding pianist Amilton Godói. Their discography includes collaborations with diverse artists such as Maurício Einhorn, Sebastião Tapajós, and even international jazz figures, while always maintaining a core identity rooted in the sophisticated rhythms of Brazil.