Rio Verde FM is proud to have Maestro Celso Pereira Levenhagen as a collaborator. Celso presents Toque sem Retoque, program aired every Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 8am and 6pm. On Toque sem Retoque Celso talks about talent and technique of great music interpreters from Brazil and abroad.

Celso was born in Baependi, Minas Gerais state, on March 9th, 1940. Musician, composer and arranger, he is known in the artistic area as Celso Murilo. His career followed a different path from his family’s – his father, Antonio José de Souza Levenhagen, used to be the Chief Judge of Minas Gerais. He was also a professor teaching civilian rights and wrote books on forensic law. The magistrature was also the professional choice of two of his brothers: Antonio José de Barros Levenhagen (Minister of the Brazilian Work Court of Justice) and Carlos Augusto de Barros Levenhagen (Chief Judge of Minas Gerais).

Celso Murilo learned how to play the guitar by himself when he was twelve. Later, he devoted himself to learning the piano. When he was a teenager, he performed small shows to hotel guests in Caxambu, a nearby tourist town. Silvio Viana, one of those guests, convinced of Celso’s talent, invited him to play in Rio de Janeiro. Despite the excitement, the boy did not accept the invitation because he would have to attend the military service that year. Eventually, in 1959, Celso Murilo left Baependi to go to the “wonderful city”. His father had agreed to give him a one-month loan to cover his first expenses.

In Rio, Celso decided to go to nightclub Arpege to see the house’s famous musicians’ rehearsal. In a few hours he made friends and luckily got to replace the pianist who, coincidentally, had got sick that day and wouldn’t be able to play. Fortunately, the young man from Baependi ended up being hired by the club manager.

In the new job, Celso Murilo met and worked with many great names of Brazilian music, such as Lúcio Alves, Dóris Monteiro, Juca Chaves, Tom Jobim and João Gilberto, who called him “Mineirão” (something like big guy from Minas). Celso used to enjoy the musician and his wife’s (Astrud Gilberto) company back then. He was even invited to play with the couple in The United States. However, “Mineirão”, still very young and unsure about the idea of going to another country, decided not to go.

Celso has a couple of curious stories about João Gilberto. He tells that once he had to go on an urgent trip to Baependi. When João Gilberto got in the nightclub to play that night he quickly looked for Celso Murilo, since he was the one who tuned his guitar. The house’s manager explained him that Celso had to go on a trip and would be absent that night. Curiously, João Gilberto left the place saying he would be “right back”, but he only returned the following night.

Celso Murilo has worked in many other nightclubs and recording studios in Rio de Janeiro. He has played with widely known musicians such as Miltinho, Wilson Simonal, Eumir Deodato, Guto Graça Melo, Sérgio Mendes and Lírio Panicalli and has worked in some famous São Paulo music houses as well.

Nowadays, Celso lives in his hometown, Baependi, where he records Bossa Nova songs, performs and presents TOQUE SEM RETOQUE at Rio Verde FM.

To contact maestro Celso Murilo, make comments or give suggestions on the program, send an e-mail to toquesemretoque@rioverdefm.com.br.