Sidnei Amaro

Sidnei Ferreira Amaro was born in Arapongas, PR - Brazil, a city most known as the “city of birds.” Relatives and family often say that Amaro was brought up to this world at the sound of a singular orchestra, an orchestra of many different birds singing to welcome him at the early hours of December 2, 1964.
At Amaro’s early age his father, Sebastiao Amaro Filho, who was also a musician, moved with his family to Rio de Janeiro where Amaro was raised. Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Amaro was influenced by the still young Bossa Nova movement, a style that remained ever present in his life and works.
At 8 years of age he recorded his first album playing in a band found by his father and friends called “Grupo os Libertos.” Two years later he recorded his second album, this time in a band composed exclusively by family members.
By the time Amaro was 14 years old, he was working as a studio musician where he recorded more than 400 albums of well known Brazilian singers, both in the Gospel as well as Non-Gospel segment.
In 1980, at the age of 16, Amaro joined “Banda Fé,” (Faith Band) as a drummer. The band members were a group of friends, among them his great friend Jetro da Silva, today a Berklee professor.
When Amaro was 19 in 1983, he formed his own group called “Banda & Voz,” (Band & Voice), a group that together with other few bands became the precursors to the Gospel Movement that happened in Brazil. “Banda & Voz” recorded more than 10 albums most of them with original compositions from the band’s members. The band traveled all around Brazil where they were always welcomed by thousands of people in every city.
During the years of 1983 until 1995, Amaro completed his formal education in composing and drum set at the “Escola de musica Villa Lobos” (Villa Lobos School of Music), MUSIART School and “Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro” (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). However, Amaro’s music education was focused in the classical music and Amaro wanted more, he wanted to have a solid contemporary music education.
In 1989, Amaro produced a big concert for his band at Canecão, a traditional Music House in Rio de Janeiro, with that event Amaro and his band reached two important historical facts: Banda & Voz was the first Gospel band to play at that house, and also the band was the first Gospel band to obtain a TV commercial in the most important channel in Brazil, during the most watched hours. That show was also a mark to the band, as it filled Canecão in a moment where a strike of bus drivers was taking place at the city.
As years passed, Amaro presented in many others Music Houses in Rio and São Paulo, recorded and presented with different artists outside the Gospel music label, and participated in workshops with great names of jazz in Brazil, such as Arthur Maia, Marcelo Martins, Carlos Bala and Zé Canuto.
During this time, between recordings, Amaro organized his music school “Espaço Banda & Voz” from which many students later became professional musicians who are among the best in the Brazilian Music Industry today.
In 1999, Amaro decided to make a sharp move in his life and career. He left Banda & Voz, sold his music school and moved with his wife and children to the U.S. seeking to enhance his contemporary music education at the renowned Berklee College of Music, an old dream Amaro kept since he was 16 years old. His first gig in the U.S. was playing at a wedding what became a good sign for him as his first job realized in the country was related to music.
From 2000 to 2002, Amaro worked as a drummer at the Roxbury Presbyterian Church, and in 2003 he was invited to become the Music Director at the New Life Presbyterian Community church, in the town of Framingham, position he held until 2007.
In 2004, in a remarkable moment of his life and career, Amaro recorded with the illustrious jazz musicians Frank Gambale (Grammy Award Winner), Oscar Stagnaro (Grammy Award Winner), David Valentin, and Jetro da Silva, his longtime friend.
Amaro has also played with John Baboia, Nicole Williams, Jaron Green, Fernanda Brum, Ed Wilson, Janires, Guilherme Kerr, Neguinho da Beija-Flor, Moacir Franco, Baby do Brazil, among others.
Amaro most recent accomplishment is his Professional Music Education at Berklee College of Music as the realization of a dream that came true for a man that never gave it up.
Sidnei Amaro, composer, arranger, musical producer and drummer, currently lives with his family in Framingham, Massachusetts.

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