Photo by Barbara Paschoa

Luis, originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been living in Orlando since 1994. At age five Luis enjoyed listening to his mom playing classical piano in the living room. He began to play guitar and bass after listening to the Beatles, and those of the bossa nova style from Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as Joao Gilberto, Jorge Ben Jour, Djavan, etc.

Luis Paschoa was strongly influenced by his brother Ronaldo Paschoa, who gave him all inspiration and taught him to play the guitar. They both performed in the band called "Fragata" that was very unique by combining bossa nova chords with jazz. Please log on www.rockover.com.br and click on "Gravacoes."

Luis recorded three records in Brazil in the 80s and 90s under new wave and pop rock influences. He was touring around the country that time, performing concerts and taping television shows.

In 1993, he moved to Orlando and formed Bossafinado with Rick Richolson. The band performed at the Central Florida Jazz Society, the Jazz Company at Pleasure Island, and many other venues, providing the audience with the authentic sounds of Brazil. He has performed at Café Tutu Tango on International Drive, and promoted the sounds of Brazilian jazz at the Samba Room..

Mario was born in Transylvania, near the notorious Dracula's Castle, and also the heart of breathtaking mountains scenery.

Mesmerized by the great guitar players of the decade he picks up his first guitar at seventeen. In the beginning it is more about entertaining other people than anything else. He is an adolescent and that's what adolescents do. Soon enough he learns that, there is much more hidden in the secret art of playing a guitar. A whole new world opens up for the ones who dare to dream and follow their hearts.

His first rock band, "DejaVu", proves a great opportunity for Mario to showcase his uniqueness. A few years later he caught the eye of one of the most accomplished eastern European producers, Adrian Ordean. He joined "Schimbul Trei" (Night Shift), as the lead guitarist. Their music hooks up audiences and before you know tunes from the first CD get a lot of air time. After a successful first album, a critically acclaimed tour, and his own TV show, a twist of faith brought Mario to L.A.

He is determined to follow in the footsteps of some great guitar players. His eyes are set on one of the most prestigious music schools, MIT. Another twist of faith sent him to the East Coast (NYC) after only few months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


One year later he was accepted at New York School of Music.

Living in New York was a tremendous cultural experience. From reggae to funk, and rock to jazz, he has the chance to play with experienced musicians and attend professional workshops, leaded by some of the most noticeable personalities of the genres.

After five years moved to the Sunshine State, beautiful Florida. He now lives in Orlando.

Visit Mario's web site at www.marioticlea.com.


Rick. a veteran of the Central Florida music scene, brings a wide variety of musical tastes to Rio Vibes and a passion for Brasilian music and their people. His versatility covers the genres of jazz, blues, funk, big band, Broadway/theatre, classical and rock.

He has performed with several headliner acts throughout Florida and nationwide. Though he can be found playing standard and straight-ahead jazz at venues around the area, his first love is the smooth, passionate sounds of Brazil.

In the 1960s, Rick listened to LPs of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendes and the Brazil 66, and their offshoots. Bossa nova's popularity soon faded from the American landscape, and for Rick, this unique music became a dormant memory. In the 1980s, he watched a Jacques Costeau documentary on Amazon River explorations. In one scene, Brazilians sat around a campfire singing music of their native land, including bossa novas. Listening to the Brazilians was akin to an illuminating discovery, rekindled from childhood. He was working at his family's newspaper business in Arkansas, where few outlets existed for performing jazz, let alone Brazilian music. He vowed to become a working musician and perform this beautiful music.

After his family sold the business, he moved to Orlando and learned the large body of work required to become a jazz musician. Some included


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


the more familiar compositions of Jobim, Joao Gilberto, and those of Brazilians who collaborated with American jazz musicans in the 60s.

He later met Luis Paschoa during an audition. Luis started strumming a few chords from a Jobim tune and Rick's ears perked up. They struck up a friendship and periodically played gigs featuring the music of Luis' homeland.

Rio Vibes' recent six-month stint at the Samba Room was met with a lot of excitement from the club's patrons. Not only were they performing the more familiar Brazilian standards, but also songs incorporating samba, rock, funk, soul, forro, choro, and other musical influences.

Visit Rick's web site at www.rickricholson.com.


Fabio Lobo is a drummer, percussionist, and journalist originally from Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil who brings a lot of Brazilian spice to the band. He was influenced by his parents, especially his mother, who was a pianist and dancer.

Fabio toured Brazil for three years as a member of "Magia", a popular Brazilian band. He and his band recorded a CD on the Polygram label with guest artist Zeca Pagodinho, the premiere samba composer and performer in the country.

Fabio moved to Orlando in 2000 with the dream of playing music.