Career
Considered one of the best bass players in the world, by professional critics, Maia have played with many famous artists, such as Djavan, Gilberto Gil, Marisa Monte, Lulu Santos and Ney Matogrosso. His compositions usually presents a fusion of jazz, funk, swing music and reggae. Arthur Maia started his musical studies playing drums, when he was still a child.
Then, years later, in 1976, he became a professional bass player, playing with many famous Brazilian artists, such as Ivan Lins, Luiz Melodia and Márcio Montarroyos.
In 1985, he joined the band Cama de Gato, a Brazilian jazz group formed by Rique Pantoja (piano), Pascoal Meirelles (drums), Mário Senise (saxophone) and Maia (bass). With it, he recorded five albums.
He also joined many other instrumental music bands, such as Pulsar, Banda Black Rio and Egotrip. Their songs were much played on Brazilian radio in the 1980s.
In 1986, Maia also recorded an album dedicated to Tom Jobim and Heitor Villa-Lobos with Gilson Peranzzetta: Tom & Villa.
During his career, Maia developed his own style of playing bass, mastering bass techniques and mixing several rhythms. lieutenant made him a famous bassist and many artists invited him for recording. In Brazil, he played with Jorge Benjor, Gal Costa, Lulu Santos, Caetano Veloso, Roberto Carlos, Martinho da Vila, Djavan, Milton Nascimento, Marisa Monte, Fernanda Froes, Leila Pinheiro e César Camargo Mariano.
Abroad, with Ernie Watts, Sheila East., Pat Metheny, Carlos Santana, George Benson, Paquito de Rivera e Plácido Domingo.
Maia has also played in many festivals around the world, such as Free Jazz Festival, Heineken Concerts, Paris Jazz Festival, Montreaux Jazz Festival et cetera In 1996, he recorded his second album, which was very well received by critics, and in 2002 recorded Planeta música, with the participation of many famous musicians, such as Dennis Chambers and Mike Stern.
That show happened in Mistura Fina Public, Rio de Janeiro, with participation of the Brazilian singer Leny Andrade.