Octavio Burnier

Nephew of Luiz Bonfá, Octavio Burnier (aka Tavynho Bonfa) is not only a fine composer and arranger, is also a prodigious guitarist and notable in his vocal interpretations. Born in Rio De Janeiro, Tavynho Bonfa started playing guitar at around seven years old and from very early on he displayed a precocious talent which was nurtured with the help of his uncle, the legendary artist Luiz Bonfá. In 1998 he was voted one of the best three guitarists in Brazil by Guitar Player magazine. He is also a skilled musical interpreter with many years of national and international exposure. Tavynho Bonfa started in Brazil his artistic career in 1971, recording for the soundtrack of one the first TV Globo network telenovelas. In 1973 he became a member of the group Brazil Aquarius with whom who recorded an album and he toured Spain with them for a year . After that, returning to Brazil, he was one of the mainstays of Burnier & Cartier. The duo split upon their return from the Australian Tour in 1977, with the Don Burrows Quintet, George Golla and the Sydney String Quartet. He recorded his first solo album in 1979 ("Dança Infernal - Música popular Brasileria Contemporánea", Phillips). He had used various pseudonyms, but in 1998 he finally adopted the professional stage name Tavynho Bonfa. His songwriting ability was behind the success of many famous artists as Fafá De Belém ("Moça do Mar") and Roupa Nova ("Clarear"). In Australia he performed (and recorded a live album) with Don Burrows in the Sydney Opera House, in New York as a sideman for his uncle Luiz Bonfá and in San Diego with Azymuth.