Walter Wanderley (1932-1986)

If Walter Wanderley doesn't strike you as a household name, your house missed one of the definitive sounds of the mid-1960s, "Samba de Verao (Summer Samba)." The original tune had been a smash hit in Brasil several years before the remake swept U.S. airwaves in 1966.

One of the more lasting emissaries of the bossa nova school, Wanderley combined great arranging talent with a unique organ style. That style --brisk, short, and usually instrumental-- married the hip, swinging, "mod" sound of the 1960s to an unlikely instrument. Of course, jazz organ in general was just getting past its uncertain novelty status. Wanderley quickly emerged as its Brasilian master.

Born in Racife, Wanderley achieved fame in his native land before being picked up by U.S. labels. The early 1960s recordings on Odeon are his best by far; fortunately most eventually were re-released on major U.S. labels. His U.S. career benefited commercially from Creed Taylor's production and the many other Brasilians recording in the U.S. Eumir Deodato, in particular, composed much of the A&M material. Bright moments on A&M's jazz subsidiary Verve include the smash Rain Forest LP, the nutty track "Kee-Ka-Roo," and pairings with Brazilian singers Astrud Gilberto and Luiz Henrique.

Buying: All Walter Wanderley albums are worthwhile. The earlier ones recorded in Brasil (through 1964) are best. Note that at least once he recorded under another name to dodge contractual obligations.