Dom Um Romao is an original drummer, a instrument that allows him to invoke sounds of nature and adds much-appreciated overtones from the many artists with whom he has been partnered. His solo discography is also very expressive. Dom Um Romao was a professional musician in the late 1940s. He played the drums for dance orchestras and later was hired by Radio Tupi. He was the one who took Elis Regina from TV (Rio’s 52nd Street) to the Beco das Garrafas (Rio’s 52nd Street), and where he founded his Copa Trio, which also included pianist Toninho, and bassist Manuel Gusmao. He was also hired by Vogue nightclub. He was a participant in Elizeth Cardoso’s 1958 bossa nova first milestone album Cancao do Amor Demais. Romao was a member of Sergio Mendes’ Brazilian Jazz Sextet in 1961. They performed at the South American Jazz Festival (Uruguay). He participated with Sergio’s Bossa Rio Sextet in the 1962 Bossa Nova Festival at Carnegie Hall. He recorded Cannonball Aderley’s Bossa-nova Riverside (with Cannonball). He performed with the Copa Trio in the legendary bossa nova show O Fino da Bossa at the Teatro Paramount (1964). This was the first time bossa nova had been launched in Sao Paulo. Dom Um is his first album. He was joined by Dom Salvador, pianist, and Miguel Gusmao, the Copa Trio’s new form. He accompanied many singers at Bottle’s nightclub and at the Beco die Garrafas including Quarteto em Cy. Jorge Ben joined them to form the Copa 4. Philips’ Dom Um was released the following year. He was also a participant in Flora Purim’s 1965 opening album Flora E MPB (RCA). He was also invited by Norman Granz in the same year to return to the U.S., where he performed alongside Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto and followed them to Europe. He was a highly sought-after sessionman and recorded several albums with Tom Jobim. Romao recorded the LP Fool on the Hill with Sergio Mendes’s Brasil 66 (A).
