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Chantecler Sessions 1: 1958-59 on CD

When I was seven years old, I had an almost casual, but lucky start on playing guitar. My father Manoel Carlos was taking guitar lessons with Benedito Moreira, although without making much progress. Meanwhile, I was watching the lessons with big interest and started to play, learning what my father didn't. When my interest in studying guitar had become obvious to my parents, I was given the opportunity to continue the lessons, as my father quit. From age seven to ten, I made fast progress, and also learned basic music theory. My repertoire started to grow rapidly. At age ten, when I was at a music store in Sao Paulo, I met Luis Bonfá (1922 - 2001), the internationally known guitarist and composer. Bonfá immediately told my father that I had a special talent and that I should continue my studies with the great Isaias Sávio (1900 - 1977), who had also been Bonfá's guitar teacher since he was twelve years old. Sávio graciously accepted me as his student, telling me that I needed to change my right hand technique, and he provided me with a solid musical foundation. I was quite overwhelmed, but enthusiastic about Sávio's significant re-structuring of my playing technique, including new repertoire that was refreshing, challenging and stimulating. My progress was fast and my enthusiasm always big. At age twelve, the thoughts of my debut developed and Sávio said that I was ready. I was featured on a Brazilian TV variety show in 1957 which featured young artists, and the reaction was very favorable. An immediate interest developed from the Chantecler label to record an LP with me. The recording sessions were held in downtown Sao Paulo, in July 1958. It became my first LP entitled Dez Dedos Magicos [Ten Magic Fingers]. That first recording experience truly enhanced my musical awareness, attention to details and helped my play grow. From there on, each recording I made was a very special experience to this day. Carlos Barbosa-Lima