NORTHRIDGE : Famed Guitarist Donates 1,000 Items to CSUN

The father of Bossa Nova, guitarist Laurindo Almeida, will donate more than 1,000 items from his personal collection of original scores and vellum copies of his compositions to Cal State Northridge.

Also noted for the film scores he composed for “The Godfather” and “The Unforgiven,” Almeida is widely recognized for introducing Brazilian music to this country by developing in the ‘50s what he calls “an amalgam of samba and jazz” that later evolved into the Bossa Nova.

“He made the United States very much aware of Brazilian music and then created a particular style that took hold and is still sweeping music, especially jazz,” said Ronald Purcell, chairman of the guitar area at CSUN’s School of the Arts.

The guitarist and composer has won five Grammy awards and was nominated for 11 more. He also won an Academy Award for his score for the animated short subject, “The Magic Pear Tree.”

Purcell said the university is honored by Almeida’s gift. “The first large carton has already arrived,” he said.

“It goes into a database that is catalogued and then sent to the special collections at the Oviatt Library, where it will be available for students, researchers and all kinds of people doing musical studies,” he said.

Purcell said Almeida has been involved with the university by coming out and rehearsing with the guitar groups.

“I’ve been associated with the university for all of these years. I’ve composed things they have played,” said Almeida, who recently hurt his shoulder and is recovering in his temporary home in Encino. (Almeida’s own house in Sherman Oaks was severely damaged in the quake.)

When asked why he decided to donate his scores to CSUN, Almeida said, “When I travel I’m constantly asked by guitar lovers about the things I have done and I had to give them an address for where to send for catalogues.”

Almeida began his career as a solo guitarist and arranger for the Stan Kenton Orchestra shortly after he moved to the United States from his native Brazil in 1947. His historic recordings of the Laurindo Almeida Quartet, which he later formed, featured jazz great Bud Shank.

He will be honored for his contribution Nov. 18 at a reception at the home of CSUN President Blenda J. Wilson.