picture of Walter Wanderley
Walter Wanderley
Walter José Wanderley Mendonça was born in Recife/Brazil in 1932. At the early age of 5 he started taking lessons at the piano, at age 12 studying musical theory. Well before he was out of his teens he moved to São Paulo and began his musical career playing the piano.
 
Only some time later Walter found the organ to be his favorite instrument. He adopted samba and bolero rhythms and interpreted well known songs in his own melodic and harmonic way.
 
Brazil in the early 60's discovered the bossa nova - a huge wave swept over the country, and also Walter Wanderley was enlightened by this fever. He got one of the leading bossa nova musicians, made recordings with João Gilberto in 1961 and much more on his on.
 
It was Tony Bennett who persuaded Walter to take off for New York in 1966. Bossa nova artists like Stan Getz, Antônio Carlos Jobim and Astrud Gilberto had provided their label Verve with huge successes. Wanderley joined in and became the Boss of the Bossa Nova. One of his songs, "Summer Samba", reached no. 26 on the pop hit ladder.
 
In the course of the 70's, the bossa nova fever found its end, and also the career of Walter Wanderley. He died, nearly forgotten, in San Francisco/USA on 04 September 1986.
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Discography
Festa Dançante
RGE XRLP 5007
released 1957
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Foi A Noite
Odeon MOFB 3031
released 1958
recorded in Brazil
Isaura Garcia, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Eu, Você E Walter Wanderley
Odeon MOFB 3085
released 1959
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Feito Sob Medida
Odeon MOFB 3109
released 1959
Walter Wanderley, organ
Heraldo Do Monte, guitar
WW e seu conjunto
Isaura Garcia - Sempre Personalissima
Odeon MOFB 3127
released 1959
recorded in Brazil
Isaura Garcia, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Sucessos Dançantes Em Ritmo De Romance
Odeon MOFB 3155
released 1960
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Saudade Querida
Odeon MOFB 3183
released 1960
recorded in Brazil
Isaura Garcia, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
João Gilberto
Odeon MOFB 3202
released 1961
recorded in Brazil
João Gilberto, vocals, guitar
Walter Wanderley, organ
Walter Wanderley e Seu Conjunto
Antonio Carlos Jobim, piano
Antonio Carlos Jobim Orchestra
O Sucesso É Samba
Odeon MOFB 3204
released 1961
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
A Pedida É Samba
Odeon MOFB 3237
released 1961
recorded in Brazil
Isaura Garcia, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Walter Wanderley E O Bolero
Odeon MOFB 3289
released 1962
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Gostoso É Sambar
Philips P 632130L
released 1963
recorded in Brazil
Dóris Monteiro, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Samba É Samba
Odeon MOFB 3248
released 1962
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Francisco Egydio Vive Os Sucessos De Lupicínio Rodrigues
Odeon MOFB 3263
released 1962
recorded in Brazil
Francisco Egydio
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
O Samba É Mais Samba
Odeon MOFB 3285
released 1962
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Sambas Da Madrugada
Odeon MOFB 3316
released 1963
recorded in Brazil
Isaura Garcia, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Samba No Esquema De Walter Wanderley
Odeon MOFB 3358
released 1963
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Geraldo Vandré
Audio Fidelity AFLP 2008
released 1964
recorded in Brazil
Geraldo Vandré, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Entre Nós
Philips P 632197L
released 1964
recorded in São Paulo/Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto e seu orquestra
Balançando
Philips P 632711L
released 1964
recorded in Brazil
Neyde Fraga, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
Órgão Sax E Sexy
Philips P 632721L
released 1964
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
Portinho, sax
WW e seu conjunto
O Toque Inconfundível de Walter Wanderley
Philips P 632726L
released 1964
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
Décio Carraro, vibes
Mechior Sawaya, flute
Theophilo de Barros Neto, guitar, bass, vocals
Olindo Hamilton Pitorre, Fala-Fala
Doris Monteiro
Philips P 632735L
released 1964
reissued 2015 as CD Philips Japan PHCD 4244
recorded 1964 in Brazil
Doris Monteiro, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ
Théo, bass
Hamilton, drums
A Meiga Elizete No. 5
Copacabana CLP 11383
released 1964
recorded in Brazil
Elizete Cardoso, vocals
Moacyr Silva, tenor sax
Papudinho, trumpet
Sir Walter Scott, aka Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
Heraldo Do Monte, guitar
Rildo Hora, guitar
Chou Vianna, bass
Arrudinha, drums
O Autêntico Walter Wanderley
Philips P 632757L
released 1965
released also as Organ-ized 1967
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Samba Só, Wa-Wa E O Seu Conjunto
Fermata FB 86
released 1965
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Caminho
RCA Victor BBL 1346
released 1965
recorded in Brazil
Walter Santos, vocals, violin
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
Arrudinha, drums
Papudinho, trumpet
Hermeto Pascoal, flute
Geraldo, bass
Quarteto Bossamba
Som Major SMLP 1524
released 1966
recorded 1965 in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
Claudio Slon, drums
José Marino, bass
Sucessos + Boleros
Philips P.632894L
released 1966
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Rain Forest
Verve MV 2101
released 1966
also released as Brazilian Mood on Verve 2352189
recorded May 1966 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Walter Wanderley, organ
Claudio Slon, drums
José Marino, bass
Joe Grimm, flute
Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar
Urbie Green, trombone
Bobby Rosengarden, percussion
A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness
Verve V6-8673
released 1966
recorded September 1966
Astrud Gilberto, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
João Gilberto, guitar
José Marino, bass
Claudio Slon, drums
Claudio Slon, drums
Bobby Rosengarden, percussion
Chegança
Copacabana VMLP-14089
released 1966
recorded in USA
Walter Wanderley, organ
Claudio Slon, drums
José Marino, bass
Bobby Rosengarden, percussion
Sol Gubin, percussion
Brazilian Blend
Philips PHS 600227
released 1967
recorded in USA
Walter Wanderley, organ
further details unknown
Organ-ized
Philips PHS 600233
released 1967
recorded in Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
WW e seu conjunto
Batucada
Verve V6-8706
released 1967
recorded May/June 1967 in Hollywood, CA/USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
Sebastian Netto, bass
Marcos Valle, guitar
José Marina, bass
Paulinho, drums
Dom Romão, drums
Lu Lu Ferreira, percussion
Wave-Talya Ferro, vocals
Popcorn
Verve V6-8734
released 1967
recorded in USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano, harpsichord
Luis Henrique, guitar, piano, percussion
Sivuca, accordian
José Marino, bass
James Kappes, drums
Gary Chester, drums
Donald MacDonald, drums
Melvin Tax, flute
Romeo Penque, flute
Alfonso De Paula, percussion
Kee-Ka-Roo
Verve V6-8739
released 1967
recorded May/June 1967 in New York, NY/USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
Alfonso De Paula, trumpet, percussion
Jerome Richardson, flute
John Pizarelli, guitar
Bobby Rosengarden, vibes, percussion
José Marino, bass
Dom Um Romão, drums
Murmúrio
Tower Records ST 5058
released 1967
recorded in USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
no further details known
When It Was Done
A&M POCM 5055
released 1969
recorded December 1968 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, harpsichord
John Glasel, flugelhorn
Marvin Stamm, flugelhorn
Donald Ashworth, English horn, flute, oboe, piccolo flute
Hubert Laws, English horn, flute, oboe, piccolo flute
George Marge, flute, piccolo flute
Stan Webb, flute, piccolo flute
José Marino, bass
João Palma, drums
Lu Lu Ferreira, percussion
string section
Gloria Agostini, harp
Anamaria Valle, vocals
Linda November, vocals
Marilyn Jackson, vocals
Milton Nascimento, vocals
singers and orchestra arranged by Eumir Deodato and Don Sebesky
Moondreams
A&M POCM 5056
released 1969
recorded in USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, harpsichord
Bernie Glow, trumpet, flugelhorn
Marvin Stamm, flugelhorn
Danny Bank, flute
Hubert Laws, flute
Jerome Richardson, flute
Joe Soldo, flute
Romeo Penque, flute
string section
Richard Davis, bass
José Marino, bass
George Duvivier, bass
João Palma, drums
Lu Lu Ferreira, percussion
Airto Moreira, percussion
Flora Purim, vocals
Linda November, vocals
Stella Stevens, vocals
Susan Manchester, vocals

The Return Of The Original
Canyon 7711
released 1977
recorded in Los Angeles, CA/USA
Walter Wanderley, Hammond organ, piano, harpsichord
Milt Bernhardt, trombone
José Marino, bass
Claudio Slon, drums, percussion
Lulu Ferreira, percussion
Brazil's Greatest Hits
GNP GNPD 2137
released 1980
recorded in USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano, synthsizer, piano
John Pisano, guitar
Patrice Young, cello
José Marino, bass
Luis Peralta, drums, percussion, berimbau, cabasa, cuica, tambourine
Perpetual Motion Love
GNP GNPD 2142
also released as Bossa Nova on Philips
released 1981
recorded in USA
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano, Moog synthsizer, ARP string ensemble
Alex Acuna, percussion
José Marino, bass
John Pisano, guitar
Boss Of The Bossa Nova
Verve 535585-2
various recordings from 1964 till 1968
Walter Wanderley, organ
other players unknown
Samba Swing!
Scamp SCP 9704-2
compilation
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
Urbie Green, trombone
Joe Grimm, flute
Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar
osé Marino, bass
Claudio Slon, drums
Bobby Rosengarden, percussion
Dom Um Romao, percussion
Astrud Gilberto, vocals
A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness
Verve V6-8673
originally released 1966
recorded September 1966 in USA
Astrud Gilberto, vocals
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
João Gilberto, guitar
José Marino, bass
Claudio Slon, drums
Claudio Slon, drums
Bobby Rosengarden, percussion
Talking Verve
Verve 314 557 080-2
compilation
Walter Wanderley, organ
further details unknown
Hammond Bossa From Brazil
Verve 06024 9847992
1966 - 1967, compilation
Walter Wanderley, organ, piano
various artists
Walter Wanderley's Brazilian Organ
Blue Moon Producciones Discográficas BMCD 861
recorded1962 in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil
Walter Wanderley, organ
further details unknown
Eternal Wisdom Of Nature
Edition Re
compilation
Walter Wanderley, organ
further details unknown

 
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