KIKO FREITAS, 50 ANOS

Kiko Freitas nasceu em Porto Alegre em 16 de agosto de 1969, em uma família de artistas e poetas de grande importância na cultura do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi inspirado no caminho musical por seu pai, Telmo de Lima Freitas – músico e compositor – e por sua mãe Beatriz de Castro – cantora e poetisa. Seu primeiro instrumento foi o Bombo Legüero. Aos oito anos ele começou a estudar violão e, aos doze anos, contrabaixo. Em 1986, ingressou na Escola da OSPA (Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre) e estudou com Argus Montenegro.

Alguns dos músicos que o influenciaram foram: Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Marty Morell, Milton Banana, Edison Machado, Robertinho Silva, Nenê, Carlos Bala, Pascoal Meirelles, Paulo Braga, entre muitos outros.

Na década de 90, Kiko já era um dos bateristas em maior demanda no sul do Brasil, participando em vários concertos, sessões de gravação e workshops. No ano de 1996 foi a Los Angeles a convite do pianista e produtor David Goldblatt (Tribal Tech, Frank Gambale), onde estudou com Dave Weckl. Em 1997, Kiko foi convidado pelo grande músico Nico Assumpção para gravar seu CD solo no Rio de Janeiro, e a convite de Nico tocou com grandes artistas como Michel Legrand, João Bosco, Frank Gambale, Ivan Lins, Jeff Richman, Luiz Avellar e muitos outros.

Em uma carreira de 31 anos, Kiko trabalhou ao lado de grandes artistas como Michel Legrand, João Bosco, John Patitucci, John Beasley, China Moses, Magnus Lindgren, Peter Asplund, Toninho Horta, Milton Nascimento, Ivan Lins, Francis Hime, Nico Assumpção, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lee Ritenour, Leila Pinheiro, Fátima Guedes, David Goldblatt, Lars Janson, Jeff Andrews, Frank Gambale, Jeff Richman, Hubert Laws, Alon Yavnai, Joca Perpignam, Vitor Ramil, Marc Kakon, John Leftwich, Wolf Kershek, Daniel Santiago, Ricardo Silveira, NDR Big Band, Vladyslav Sendecki, Nils Landgren, Paula Santoro, Chico Pinheiro, Hamilton de Holanda, Frank Solari, Paulo Dorfman, Paulo Russo, Rafael Vernet, entre muitos outros. Como professor, lecionou em grandes instituições como: Conservatorium Von Amsterdam, University of Rotherdam, Göterborgs Universitet, Malmo Universitet, Stockholm Royal Academy of Music, University of Örebro, Columbus University, Hamburg Music School.

Tocou em diversos Festivais de Jazz, como: Schleswig-Holstein-Musik-Festival 2008 ,Salzau Jazz Festival, Montreaux Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Eldena Jazz Festival, Jazz Baltica, Internacionales Jazz Festival Bingen Swingt, Hamburg Jazz Open, Festival Internacional de Jazz de Granada, Ludwigshafen Enjoy Jazz, Jazz Classics Basel, Jazz Fest Sarajevo, Las Palmas Rrincón Jazz, Madrid Jazz Festival, Gijón Festival, All Blues Jazz Recitals, Istanbul Caz Jazz Festival, Kaunas Jazz Festival, Musiques Sur L’ile, Jazz Stars in Krakow, Skopje Jazz Festival, Toulouse Jazz Sur Son.

Em 2009 lançou o livro Toque Junto Bossa Nova (editora Irmãos Vitale).

É parceiro das marcas Vic Firth, Paiste, Pearl e das baterias eletrônicas Markdrum. Toca com João Bosco há 19 anos.

Alguns depoimentos sobre Kiko Freitas:

“Kiko is an artist of the highest caliber. His knowledge, discipline and technique, second to none, but higher than the knowledge and technique is his magnificent and loving soul, intuition, creativity and musical benevolence – all of which are paramount in his artistry every time I hear this beautiful musician play”. Gary Husband

“I met Kiko Freitas in 1994 while on tour with the Frank Gambale band. I was playing keyboards with Frank, Alfonso Johnson on bass and Enzo Tedesco on drums. Kiko was playing on stage at the same venue as our band, and I was immediately stunned by this young maestro. We spoke and quickly became good friends and kept in touch. Kiko has the great passion of the rare artist who seeks the pinnacle of achievement in his or her chosen field. He called me to come visit the USA and meet Dave Weckl who I have played with and know pretty well. He wanted to take a lesson with Dave and see Los Angeles. Kiko stayed with me and my wife and two cats and it was a very special visit for all of us. To me, Kiko is quite a bit more than one of the greatest drummers/musicians on the planet. He is one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever had the honor of knowing for which I am deeply grateful.” David Goldblatt

“O Kiko é um baterista muito especial. Músico versátil, tem uma técnica extremamente limpa, conhece a linguagem de outros instrumentos e ainda compõe, transformando o ato de tocarmos juntos em grandes experiências. Sempre que for possível espero contar com sua parceria!” Frank Solari

“Kiko Freitas é um musico extraordinário ! Já fizemos alguns trabalhos juntos e é sempre uma grande alegria ouví-lo e vê-lo tocar. Espero que isto aconteça muitas outras vezes “. Francis Hime

“I met Kiko in Hamburg for the rehearsals with NDR Bigband and the program with Joao Bosco that we were to perform during our Brasil-Tour of 200?? ( Cant remeber what year)

He came straight from the flight from Rio, sat down behind the drums and just kicked the shit out of everybody in the room from beat one. What a Drummer! We just looked at each other and smiled from ear to ear.

And I knew from that moment, this is the beginning of a great friendship, musical and personal.

Upon arrival we hardly had time to get of the plane before Kiko offered to take us to the best Steaks and Cachasa, which we gladly accepted. There was many such nights to be had on that tour!

But the main thing was the music. I played one set with my Funk music and then I took a seat in the trombone section for the second set with João. Just to be able to sit there, playing João´s music with himself playing guitar and singing like a god. And then on top of that Kiko leading the band in directions the might never have known was possible to go. It was one of the best experiences of my life and much of it thanks to Kiko.

Since then we have played many times and we enjoy each others company and playing, as well as a good steak and some cachasa.

On my next Album, he even performs together with me and João, I cant wait til I can bring it out.

Kiko, Youre the best. I am proud to have you as my friend!

Love , Nils Landgren”

“Kiko Freitas is a beautiful musician. Not just a great drummer that plays with fantastic, clean technique, energy, swing and a strong groove. He is a warm and beautiful generous person. For me that is very important and inspiring.

Would be fantastic and an honor to have Kiko Freitas playing my music”. Lars Jansson

“Grande músico, irmão de instrumento, humilde e dono de uma educação sem igual, seja pessoalmente ou tocando. Para mim um dos melhores. Começamos praticamente na mesma época, somos da mesma geração, tivemos oportunidades de nos encontrar em varias situações, seja prestigiando um ao outro em shows ou workshops ou mesmo emprestando o instrumento um para o outro. Musicalmente sem comentários, é um músico completo, toca de tudo em qualquer onda, lendo ou não, mas o que me impressiona são seus solos, uma energia descomunal, com muito assunto e com as mãos mais rápidas que essa terra já viu.” Cuca Teixeira

“Kiko Freitas is an amazing drummer. More than that: he is a true musician. With him the NDR Bigband could explore new shores. We first met Kiko in 2007 when we prepared a trip to Brazil with the great João Bosco, followed by a recording session for a CD that will be released in 2010. It wasn’t only that Kiko was well familiar with João’s music – his mere breathtaking technical skills and his infinite creative energy inspired the whole band. Not to mention his warmhearted personality – he’s a real team player! With passion and patience he shaped the rhythmic parts, and thank’s to him a German Big Band turned into a steaming Samba band – at least for a couple of moments…! In Kiko’s playing the tradition of the Jazz drumming lives on and blends with the Afro-Samba heritage. As the American composer and arranger Maria Schneider once said: “Kiko is the only drummer I know, who can play at the same with one hand Bebop, and Samba with the other”. It is this cultural bridge work that makes his playing so unique. Kiko Freitas is one of the great artists of our time”. Stefan Gerdes/NDR

“I´ve had the pleasure of touring together with Kiko Freitas, João Bosco and the NDR Big Band in Brasil in 2007. Since I was just playing the first half of the concert I got the chance to listen to Kiko´s outstanding Grooves every night. His way of playing is very unique, inspiring and tasty all the time. He´s the kind of drummer who always plays what´s right for the song and he knows exactly what to do. Kiko has a warm sound on the drums and his touch is simply amazing. Kiko Freitas is one of the most musical drummers I know. I´m his biggest fan!” Wolfgang Haffner

“Even though I am probably known for more moderate statements; in this case regarding Kiko Freitas I have to renew the superlative, that for me he is the best drummer in the world.

After first meeting him in a Brasilian context as the drummer of João Bosco, where he already changed my view on drumming drastically, transcending all I knew about this music far beyond the horizon, I then had the opportunity to invite him to play some ambitious music productions for the Olympic Games in German public TV and finally my own artistic projects with the NDR Bigband and Symphony Orchestra as special featured drums soloists. His participation is still one of the most rewarding and most beautiful magical experiences of my professional musical life. He has always been the heart and soul of every project in which I had the pleasure to be working with him. I will always be grateful getting to know this giant of drums and exeptional world class musician that brings every music to rise to unknown levels and changed my view on drumming for ever.” Prof. Wolf Kerschek

“Kiko, I think you’e the greatest Drummer on the Planet. You have perfect technique, Traditional and matched grips, ambidextrous too. You swing so hard, it’s a pleasure to see the clips you post. I think any Drummer would be really fortunate to study with you.I would come to a class if I could, you’re never too old to study from the Master. I mean everything I said. You are my hero! The best of wishes for you my friend from me and Michele.” Colin Bailey

“Kiko’s aplications of brazilian rhythms to drumset are only a matter of pure musicianship….yet if they are full of tecnical dificulties is only to the service of music…..so this is not another braziliam rhythms drum book, this is a book about brazilian music from the drum set made by one of it’s modern most advanced innovator.” Horacio El Negro Hernandez

“Pra ser inteiramente sincero, NUNCA vi um baterista melhor do que você. Você é, sem favor algum, o melhor batera do MUNDO!!!

Abração,

Aldir” Aldir Blanc

“Era final dos anos 90 quando o baixista Nico Assumpção me disse sobre uma gravação que faríamos dentro de alguns dias: eu conheço um baterista de Porto Alegre. Você precisa conhecê-lo. Vamos convidá-lo para essa gravação ?

Lá se vão 19 anos desde o nosso primeiro encontro. Já viajamos juntos o mundo inteiro e ainda há muito que viajar… O que me impressiona em Kiko Freitas é a facilidade que ele tem de traduzir as situações rítmicas mais complexas que surgem na execução de um tema. Ele nos faz sentir mais inteligentes quando toca pois temos a sensação de estarmos compreendendo tudo pois nos revela detalhes de suas preciosas conquistas por ser o grande baterista que é . Generoso , para mim ele é uma espécie de reencarnação de Joe Morello, baterista do Dave Brubeck Quartet que atuava dessa mesma forma. Assim como Paul Desmond compôs Take Five “apenas como um pretexto para um solo de bateria de Morello”, venho experimentando alguns temas apenas como pretexto para solos de bateria de Kiko Freitas.

A boa nova é que ele está lançando esse livro didático sobre as adaptações dos nossos ritmos brasileiros. O livro traz explicações e partituras que vão enriquecer a todos e certamente , ao final, seremos mais inteligentes.” João Bosco