OSCAR!
Oscar Castro-Neves

Guitarist, composer, pianist, singer and arranger, Oscar Castro-Neves weaves the rhythmic joy of his Brazilian guitar and vocal music with the sound of the Paul Winter Consort and other friends in this collection of vibrant and haunting compositions. “...achingly beautiful.” —The Washington Post

Guitarist, composer, pianist, arranger, and musical bon vivant, Oscar Castro-Neves is a many-faceted gem who radiates the rhythmic joy of Brazilian music.

I met Oscar in Rio de Janeiro in 1962 during a tour of Latin America with my college jazz sextet. He was one of the seminal composers and musicians who were then creating the new movement in Brazilian music that would come to known worldwide as "bossa nova." Later that same year, Oscar brought this "new touch" music to New York as musical director of the first bossa nova concerts presented at Carnegie Hall. He eventually settled in California, working with Sergio Mendes' band and composing scores for such films as "Gabriel" and "Blame It On Rio.".

Over the years Oscar has toured with our Consrot many times, and he co-produced with memy albums COMMON GROUND and MISSA/GAIA. We so value his contribution to our music and to our lives that we long ago declared him an "honorary life member" of the Paul Winter Consort.

Troubadour and trickster, he is an irresistible catalyst in any musical situation. For all of us who know Oscar, just the mention of his name makes us smile. He brings us back to the joy of being alive.

It is an honor for the Consort and me to accompany Oscar on his debut album.

Paul Winter