Mauro Senise – photo: Nana Moraes
Mauro Senise was born in May 1950 in Rio de Janeiro and is the grandson of the renowned intellectual Alceu Amoroso Lima. His artistic path is defined by an absolute fidelity to melody, forging a “singing” signature tone that substitutes the human voice with unmistakable lyricism. He is a stylist of sound and the ultimate proof that instrumental music is a true success story in Brazil.
He began his career in 1972. He studied classical flute under Odette Ernest Dias and saxophone under Paulo Moura, two masters whom Mauro credits as foundational to his musical upbringing. Early in his journey, he was a member of the group Mandengo alongside Tomás Improta, Tony Botelho, Raul Mascarenhas, Barrozinho, and Duduka da Fonseca. Between 1974 and 1978, he joined the Rio Jazz Orchestra. Following this period, he recorded two albums as a special guest with Grupo Um (featuring Lelo Nazário, Zé Eduardo Nazário, and Zeca Assumpção) and founded the group Alquimia with Robertinho Silva, Zeca Assumpção, and André Delquech.
For many years, he performed and recorded with the biggest icons of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) and the greatest masters of Brazilian instrumental music, including Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti, Wagner Tiso, and Luis Eça. Throughout his career, he shared the stage and the recording studio with some of the most prominent figures in our music, such as: Edu Lobo, Robertinho Silva, Romero Lubambo, Nilson Matta, Luiz Alves, Hugo Fattoruso, Nenê, Osmar Milito, Antonio Adolfo, Marinho Boffa, Toninho Horta, Victor Assis Brasil, Rui Quaresma, Cristovão Bastos, Helvius Vilela, Wanderley Pereira, Alberto Chimelli, Nelson Faria, Ricardo Costa, André Tandeta, Bruce Henry, Eloir de Moraes, Nelson Ayres, Marcio Montarroyos, Fernando Moraes, Dario Galante, Idriss Boudriouha, Vittor Santos, Maurício Einhorn, Marcelo Martins, Nivaldo Ornellas, Marcos Nimrichter, Ivan Conti, Paulinho Trumpete, Paulo Russo, Itamar Assiere, Jota Moraes, Arthur Maia, Rique Pantoja, Alberto Continentino, Pascoal Meirelles, Mingo Araújo, André Neiva, and Gilson Peranzzetta.
In 1985, alongside Pascoal Meirelles, he founded the highly acclaimed group Cama de Gato, with whom he has released six CDs. As a member of this ensemble, he achieved widespread critical acclaim and performed in Spain, France, Belgium, and the United States. He also toured extensively across Europe alongside Egberto Gismonti.
However, performing as a soloist has always been his primary focus. In 1988, Mauro recorded his first solo album, Mauro Senise, followed the next year by his second, Jade. In 1990, in partnership with composer, pianist, and arranger Gilson Peranzzetta, he initiated a celebrated series of 13 duo albums, inaugurated with the album Vera Cruz.
Celebrated as a featured attraction at major events such as Free Jazz and the Chivas Jazz Festival, and having contributed to countless Brazilian records, Mauro has won numerous awards over the years for his lifetime body of work. Highlights include the Playboy Trophy, the Brahma Extra Award for Instrumental Breakthrough, and the Instrumental Soloist of the Year Award at the Profissionais da Música. Latin Grammy Awards: Winner (2017) and a multiple-time nominee (most recently for Choro Negro).
Ana Luisa Marinho
