Greco Buratto: world citizen

Being totally honest there are few artists who are humble despite enjoying a huge talent. I have had the fortune and pleasure of meeting one of them. I’m talking about the only Greco Buratto, a world citizen.

A world of music

Greco Buratto © Solkes

I was introduced to his music by a common friend and I will always be thankful. He is a Brazilian guitarist, singer and producer. But he is a citizen of the world.

However, many people know his work as a session musician for Shakira, K.D. Lang, Pink, Enrique Iglesias, Christina Aguilera and Earth Wind And Fire, amongst others. But, few know that this phenomenon has decided that now is the the moment to present his music to the world. With this in mind, his debut album “Essas Coisas Todas” is a compilation of songs using different genres: from jazz, rock and bossa nova to pop.

As a great mutual friend told me “he keeps touring Asia” and because of this it is difficult to catch him. But, this was an opportunity that we could not miss. So, we did everything that was in our hands. We moved schedules and agendas until it was achieved. Technology was our great ally.

A calling

Continuing with Greco, has had a successful musical career for many years. In all honesty, he started playing guitar when he was 8 years old and at 12 he discovered that he wanted to study at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. From that moment on and until he turned 18 he studied English, Music and Musical Perception.

Lei Sierra © Solkes

I want to make it clear that although he currently lives off his passion, that wasn’t always the case. For this reason, he sold Christmas trees and worked in an art gallery. He also worked in a Gospel church, where he met Bibi McGill who is Beyoncé’s musical director.

As time went by, he began to play with Sergio Mendes (a Brazilian musician, he has more than 55 releases, plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk) who was the best artist in Brazil at that time in Los Angeles.

One of those recordings was made with a producer friend, who sent the song to Boyz II Men. They liked what they heard and decided to record it and that Grecco should play the guitars. Afterwards, he went to New York where he started recording with producers of Hip Hop, R & B.

Nurha De Souza © Solkes

Then, one thing lead to another and he git to record with Pink, Marcy Gray, George Duck and a musical segment for a live show by Cristina Aguilera.

He also wrote and recorded nusic for the movie First Daughter. At that time he conceived a film music composer and started working with him, on the soundtracks of Dawson’s Creek, Jack and Bobby, Brothers & Sisters, Miami Vice, among others.

As in almost all scenarios in life, he told me that in the world of music you also have to do jobs where you don’t get paid but you make yourself known and you make the necessary connections to reach bigger things.

A conversation

The conversation with Greco was a delight. A delight as a journalist and as a fan of good music. Beyond an interview, this was a talk among citizens of the world. It was relaxed, fun, spontaneous and sincere.

Truthfully, music is the only thing I know how to do.

L.V.A: How did you start in music?

Greco Buratto: My mom gave me a guitar when I was 7 years old and started playing with the Beatles albums. At 8 years old I took my first acoustic guitar lesson with a teacher who happened to be our neighbour.

L.V.A: What instruments do you play?

Greco Buratto: Electric and acoustic guitar, a little bass, and a little cabaquinho that is a Brazilian instrument and very little percussion.

Like every artist, inspiration is necessary. And according to him, there were many people who managed to inspire him. Some of them were: Stanley Jordan, Pat Metheny, Van Halen, Sting, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd and also a Brazilian band called RPM. He also admires artists such as Sting and Eric Clapton, Gustavo Santaolalla, Jorge Drexler, James Taylor, Gilberto Gil, Ruben Blades. Ridley Scott and the list goes on. This admiration goes far beyond music, it also has to do with their development as people and as artists.

Tiago Trindade © Solkes

He told me that although he has had the honor and opportunity of working with several artists around the world, some of them have made a stronger impression on him. This is normal. The Canadian singer K.D Lang and the Argentine composer, musician and music producer Gustavo Santaolalla, are two of the artists that I think have had a great impact on him.

In short, if Greco was not part of the music scene he would definitely continue immersed in the arts. He would have been a film director or writer. And, very humbly, he tells me that his childhood dreams have been fulfilled. But, the only thing that is one hundred percent sure is that what he wants to keep on doing, to never stop, to be express things and to reach enlightenment.

L.V.A: Why music?

Greco Buratto: I do not know. My dad told me once that I answered that I had not chosen music but that music had chosen me. I believe that music was very important at the moment I started playing because it gave me confidence, it helped me feel good about myself and I broke age barriers because I was hagning out with peopl that were older tahn because because musica was our common language.

I’m not latin or Brazilian  I am a human being. I identify myself with cultural chracteristcs of different countries.

L.V.A: What do music and composition mean to you?

Greco Buratto: Well, music is a dream and it is also an instrument that allowed me to achieve a dream. At this moment, music is my job, it is a language … the truth is that it is the only thing I know how to do. On the other hand, to compose means to express and make a translation of what is happening to you in order to understand it better.

His album was an autobiographical process given that there are songs that portray specific moments in his life. That was the way he found to understand those moments. All the songs were born from real moments, of unrequited love and of awakening.

Greco Buratto © Solkes

Keeping on with the theme of the artists and his opinion about them, he assures me that each artist has his individual story. There are people who don’t like to compose, there are people who only like to compose. However, he assures me that the singers that write their material have a little more connection when they are signing because it is something personal.

Collaborating with another artist is not the same as working with them and Greco has worked with many and collaborated with a few. Collaborating with an artist means sharing the same artistic vision and working with a artist means playing a role, having a function in a tour or a record. On the other hand, working as a soloist means taking what one has to say and wants to express and showcasing it.

He wants to continue making music that spreads a positive message and that makes people question things. He also wants to work with artists who share the same artistic integrity.

Tiago Trindade © Solkes

L.V.A: Why did you wait until now to be a soloist?

Greco Buratto: I think there came a point where I felt the need to express things my way. Then, I decided to release my first album.

Travelling the world

Luis Alvarado © Solkes

The nerves have never abandoned him. He thinks this is a good thing given that it helps you keep your innocence, an almost infantile relationship with music.

This continues to happen to him and I was surprised when he told me that when working with Roberto Carlos, an artist with more than 5 decades of experience, he saw first hand that he also gets nrevous after all that time.

Part of a musician’s job is to travel the world. It’s the day to day. In one moment you are in one city and in the next in another. What does not change is that being able to see other parts of the world and sharing and receiving love is priceless.

To finish this article that went from being a random interview to become words that express admiration for an artist, for a man who declares himself to be a citizen of the world has been an honor. What makes him feel proud has nothing to do with music but with the energy that people say they feel when they are close to him. For Greco Buratto, the important thing is to make people feel good and beautiful.

Translated By: Laura Viera A

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