I grew up in the North-East of Brazil in a coastal city called Fortaleza. My first memories are of the beach, often with my cousins, under the hot sun! My Mum was always very affectionate and my Dad always liked playing and improvising with words and songs. I think I’ve inherited both things! My Dad had a guitar at home and he used to play for us at bedtime, but I never really got into it until my best friend at school started playing. His Dad was a real cool cat and played in a brilliant, funny way that really inspired me to take an interest in the guitar. Love shapes your world, and that's largely parents job in my opinion. I have had great teachers, friends, masters, etc... but nothing compares to where you come from and your experience of love in your early years. The album that most influenced me was 'Passarim' by Tom Jobim. When I was around 20 years old was definitely a game changer. My passion for composing and arranging started pretty much then. I created my first choro and samba group, playing instrumental Brazilian music, in Fortaleza when I was 19 and started playing professionally. I moved to Rio de Janiero in 2006 and that’s where things started to take off as a guitarist and a composer. I felt an urge for expansion and new horizons after graduating in Brazilian Popular Music in Rio de Janeiro. I didn’t know much about London but I knew someone who had lived here and had come back excited and full of praise for the city, which had been life-changing for him. I felt an inner calling to come here!
When I first arrived in London, the cold and the rain were incredible! I had never experienced anything close to an English winter before, and I still find them hard!!! I worked as a waiter, which was sometimes very surreal and funny, and I composed the tune ‘A Gig as a Waiter’, which is on the new album, inspired by this experience. I started to play a lot of gigs, meet local musicians, and my life started to get busier. I also learnt to speak Spanish as well as English, as I met so many Spanish-speaking people!
I’d heard about amazing musicians from all around the world studying at the famous Berklee School of Music, but it always sounded as unachievable dream for me. In 2014 my friend and great singer Luiza Sales from Rio went to Berklee. She convinced me to apply and to my surprise I got accepted and got a scholarship! So there I went for this incredible experience!
I am someone who doesn’t go ‘by the book’ and I’m always open to adapt and improvise. I’m guided by my feelings.
I’ve recorded two albums and played with some world-class musicians both in London, Spain and Brazil. In 2019, with Alvorada (my current Choro band), we won ‘Best Band’ at the Lukas awards and ‘Best Brazilian Act’ at Latin UK Awards, and appeared on Jazz FM, BBC 3 and other shows. I am now preparing for the launch of my second album of my original music ‘In the Weave’ which brings together all of these experiences, and I’m feeling excited for what’s next!
I’ve overcome Homesickness and the Home Office, but have made London my home.
My best experience in London was meeting my wife in the Green Note in Camden in 2010, the birth of my son in Hampstead in 2018….the worst was getting food poisoning on stage in Greenwich in 2011! My biggest breakthrough is happening now – recording and launching my new album 'In the Weave'
Being an artist outside the mainstream involves constant challenges every day and the way to overcome them is by keeping going and doing what you believe is your truth as an artist! I would tell my younger self… Don’t waste years of your youth in self-doubt. Practise hard and the results will come.
I’m most looking forward to ouring the world, composing and performing great music collaborating with amazing people!!!
Luiz Morais launches his new album 'In The Weave' with a concert at Pizza Express Jazz Club this sunday 24th October. Tickets here
The album will be released by LM Music on 29th October.
