Milton Banana, also known as Antonio de Souza and who died May 22, 1999, is the man who invents bossa nova drumming. He was a busy session man in the early days of bossa nova. He recorded the iconic Chega de Saudade (Joao Gilberto’s debut album), and the equally important Getz-Gilberto. He also recorded extensively with Tom Jobim and Joao Donato. He performed every night with Luis Eca and other musicians like Johnny Alf (Roberto Menescal), Roberto Menescal (Roberto Lyra), Roberto Menescal), Carlos Lyra. Newton Mendoca was also recorded. Baden Powell, Sergio Mendes. Luis Bonfa, Bola sete (in Punta Del Este, Uruguay). Milton Banana was a keen musician from a young age. He loved percussion and was a huge fan of Orquestra Tabajara. He was a self-taught musician and soon began playing in several dance bands such as Steve Bernard’s Djalma Fereira’s, Gerardi e Seu Conjunto Rex, Gerardi e Seu Conjunto Rex and others. He joined Waldir Calmon’s group in 1955 and performed at the Arpege (Rio) nightclub. He joined Djalma ferreira’s Os Milionarios do Ritmo group shortly thereafter. They performed at the Drink nightclub regularly. He joined the Luis Eca Trio in 1956. They played at Plaza nightclub, which was the center of bossa Nova. In 1959, Milton Banana debuted as a recording artist, participating inJoao Gilberto’s first album, Chega de Saudade. He was part of the 1962 important show Encontro, which was produced by Aluisiode Oliveira. It featured Joao Gilberto and Tom Jobim as well as Vinicius De Moraes and Os Cariocas at the Au Bon Gourmet (Rio) nightclub. He also traveled to Argentina that year with Joao Gilberto. They spent a season in the 676 club. He visited New York in November to play at the Carnegie Hall Bossa Nova Festival. He played drums on Getz-Gilberto’s 1963 album. In France and Italy, he toured with Joao Gilberto (piano), Joao Donato and Tiao Neto. He returned to Brazil and formed the Milton Banana Trio. It was unusual at the time for a drummer leading a group. This trio recorded nine albums for Odeon, and another for RCA. Another rare feat for a Brazilian drummer was the recording of several other lineups. Some of these LPs were reissued on CDs as Balancando com o Milton Banana Trio and Sambas de Bossa Milton Banana. In 1965, Milton Banana accompanied Joao Gilberto in his Brazil performances. He performed with Joao Donatio in 1977’s Fogueira 3 Afro-sambas. He reduced his activities but still performed solo shows until his death. Alvaro Neder, All Music Guide User Contributed Text is available under Creative Commons By–SA License. It may also be available under GNU FDL.
