Marquinho Brasil

Marquinho Brasil, a big part of the Secret to Craig's Success', as the percussionist with the Craig Chaquico ACOUSTIC HIGHWAY recording and touring band!

MEET MARQUINHO -from an interview by fan club president, Lil Duarte, for a previous edition of the Craig Chaquico Fan Club Gathering of the Tribes Newsletter

1.) How/why did you start playing percussion and what drove you to get into show business?

My family was involved with Carnival in Brazil. I first paraded in Carnival when I was 4 years old. From that moment, I fell in love with drums, percussions, rhythms and anything connected to them. I was involved with music in Brazil at a young age and began playing and touring with bands in Brazil that finally brought me to the States and where I am today.

2.) How did you come to be working with Craig?

I believe Ozzie and I first connected at Sweetwater, a local club in Mill Valley, (...5 minutes from where Craig lived and sometimes performed for 25 years) where I was playing with a fusion band. Just after that I filled-in for their percussionist at the time. It wasn't long after that that I began playing with Craig on a regular basis.

3.) What do you love most about your job?

Everything! I honestly believe I have one of the greatest jobs in the world and I am very grateful for it. What I love most is touring internationally, mostly because I love playing concerts and love checking out other cultures. The energy that comes from playing live to a great audience is addicting.

4.) What is the funniest or strangest thing that you can remember happening on any tour you've been on?

Once while with a Brazilian jazz band we were flown to LA to play a party to launch a new record label that signed us. We had a limo take us to the Museum of Modern Aviation where the party was held. As we were hanging out in our rooms (at the Museum) we were told to get ready because they were taking us somewhere. We got in the limo which took us to the back of the Museum where there was a helicopter waiting. We all piled into the helicopter and it took off. We were then lifted over the Museum, to the front of the building, where there was a red carpet with a crowd of photographers, cameras, and a bunch of people. That was the entire ride! And the best part is the band got a bill for the 1 minute helicopter ride (that barely flew more than 20 feet off the ground) to take us somewhere that we already were!

Stats: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he's performed with Martinho da Vila and Joao Nogueira, moved to the U.S. in 1982, joined dance troupe, Batucaje. Toured the U.S., Europe and Canada and performed for years at the annual Monterey Jazz Festival. 1984 Batucaje won "Jammies" Music Award for Best Brazilian Group and he has worked with Ray Charles, Santana, Miles Davis, The Grateful Dead, Al Jarreau, Mariah Carey and many others.

More info and photos to come!