Born Luiz Mainzi da Cunha Eça in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 3,1936, the
samba / bossa nova pianist and composer was best-known as a member of the Tamba
Trio and for composing the jazz standard “The Dolphin.” In the 1950s, he began
his professional music career playing piano in nightclubs. He then formed his
own band featuring Ed Lincoln (double bass), Pablo Ney (guitar), João Donato
(accordion), Milton Banana (drums), and vocalist Claudette Soares. After the
release of his early albums A Night at the Plaza (1955), Sambas Da Saudade
(1956), and Um Piano na Madrugada (1956), ...