João Donato

Movies

They Shot the Piano Player
Self (voice)
New York, 2010. Jeff Harris, a music journalist, sets out to uncover the truth about Francisco Tenório Júnior, a young Brazilian samba-jazz pianist who disappeared in Buenos Aires on March 18, 1976.
Garoto - Vivo Sonhando
Self
A prodigy of stringed instruments, a pioneer of Bossa Nova, a modernizing master of the guitar: Aníbal Augusto Sardinha, better known as Garoto (1915-1955), is one of the hidden pillars of Brazilian music. Woven by rare archival material, personal diaries and testimonies, this documentary reveals his influence and the artistic conflicts of an avant-garde artist in the golden age of Brazilian radio.
Dorivando Saravá, o Preto Que Virou Mar
Self
Singer, composer, actor and painter, Dorival Caymmi was a multiple artist, but what they may not know is his pioneering work in introducing candomblé into Brazilian popular music. Recreating in a poetic way concepts present in Caymmi's work and life, the documentary revelation of the artist from his own lines, mined in old magazines.
Where Are You, João Gilberto?
Original Music Composer
Where are you, João Gilberto? sets out in the footsteps of German writer Marc Fischer who obsessively searched for the legendary founding father of Bossa Nova and last great musical legend of our time, Brazilian musician João Gilberto, who has not been seen in public for decades. Fischer described his journey in a book, Hobalala, but committed suicide one week before it was published. By taking up Marc Fischer's quest, following his steps one by one, thanks to all the clues he left us, we pursue João Gilberto to understand the history, the very soul and essence of Bossa Nova. But who can tell whether we will meet him or not?
Where Are You, João Gilberto?
Himself
Where are you, João Gilberto? sets out in the footsteps of German writer Marc Fischer who obsessively searched for the legendary founding father of Bossa Nova and last great musical legend of our time, Brazilian musician João Gilberto, who has not been seen in public for decades. Fischer described his journey in a book, Hobalala, but committed suicide one week before it was published. By taking up Marc Fischer's quest, following his steps one by one, thanks to all the clues he left us, we pursue João Gilberto to understand the history, the very soul and essence of Bossa Nova. But who can tell whether we will meet him or not?
Eu, Meu Pai e Os Cariocas
Self
Rio Sonata: Nana Caymmi
Nasci Para Bailar - Havana/Rio
Sixty years ago the pianist and arranger Brazilian Joao Donato meets with friends musicians to play and turn those moments into historical performances. The habit began in the late 1940s, when the acriano Donato newly arrived to Rio. Born into a musical family, his father was a major, airplane pilot and mandolin, his mother liked to sing and brother planned to be a concert pianist, he decided to learn piano instrument closer to that which dominated the accordion. Hence to attend meetings at the home of Dick Farney in the early bossa nova was a leap.
Joyce Live - Show of Fourth Years
Player
The DVD originated in an unforgettable encounter of MPB (Braziliam Popular Music) icons in a show held in the theater of FECAP in São Paulo, Brazil. Names like Roberto Menescal, João Donato, Dori Caymmi, Monica Salamso, Zé Renato, his daughters Clara Moreno and Ana Martins, Leila Pinheiro and Francis Hime participated as Joyce's guests at the event, which coincides with the year in which the Bossa Nova turns 50 years of existence.
Vinicius de Moraes, Um Rapaz de Família
Self
A documentary on Brazilian poet and composer Vinicius de Moraes, made by his daughter a few months before his death.