EDUARDO GATTI

Eduardo Gatti is undoubtedly one of the leading composers of modern Chilean music. His song "Los Momentos", written in 1970, has become part of Chilean musical history as one of the classics which reflect the feelings of a whole generation. His artistic, musical and poetic work place him at the forefront of Chilean popular music.

Eduardo Gatti was born in Santiago in 1949. From a young age he showed a keen interest in music. During his school years he formed two groups, "The Clouds" and "The Apparition" with which he recorded four singles in 1968 and 1969 with RCA Víctor and made several television appearances. The most notable song was their Spanish version of "When a Man Loves a Woman" which reached Number one in the charts in Chile and was released in several other countries. Eduardo was then 19 years old.

By the time he got a music degree in composition and received guitar lessons for five years from Arturo González, a chilean teacher and guitarist who actually works in Venezuela with Alirio Diaz.

In 1970 Eduardo travelled to Europe where he stayed for four months during which he went to concerts by such greats as Pink Floyd, Procol Harum and Fleetwood Mac. On his retum to Chile he joined "The Blops" with whom he initiated a new musical movement in Chile and recorded three LPs. On the first of these, recorded at the end of 1970, was included "Los Momentos". "The Blops" appeared many times on television and played concerts at universities. They travelled to Argentina where they were presented on Channel 7 TV in Buenos Aires and Channel 5 of Rosario. Whilst in Argentina they recorded their third LP which was distributed throughout Argentina. Eduardo was now the main influence in the group with fellow musician Juan Pablo Orrego.

On his return to Chile, Eduardo was invited to participate in the Chilean version of "Jesus Christ Superstar ' in which he worked alongside the Chilean Symphonic Orchestra. He later played in the rock opera " 1984".

In 1976 and 1977 Eduardo retumed to Europe and visited England and Germany, where he worked as a guitarist and singer with recording studios and later joined the rock & blues group "The Rawdogs" with which he played at the famous "Star Club" in Hamburg as well as in Berlin, Cologne, Bonn and Frankfurt.

Returning to Chile in 1978, Eduardo formed again "Blops" with one of their former members, Juan Pablo Orrego. They played concerts in Chile, Ecuador and Peru. In 1980 the "Blops" travelled to Canada and toured several cities and in Toronto they appeared on television. In 1981 they were invited to Mexico City for several concerts. Following their return to Chile the group disbanded for good.

Later that year, Eduardo Gatti, restless talented and self assured, decided to embark on a career as a soloist and composer. The people applaud an artist who has known how to interpret the feelings and way of life of a generation.

The launch of his first solo LP in 1982 was followed by many tours and television and radio appearances up and down the country. In 1983 Eduardo wrote the music to the national film 'El Ultimo Grumete" for which the central theme music was "Navegante". In 1985 Eduardo recorded the LP "Gatti 2" and he continues to play both in Chile and abroad on a regular basis. In 1986 he recorded "Esencialmente Así No Mas", in 1987 "Loba" and in 1989 "Entrada de Locos", and "Temprano en el Cielo", recorded in 1993.

From 1992 to 1998 he has been invited to share the stage with artists such as Paul Mc Cartney, Stevie Nicks, Flairck, Mercedes Sosa, León Gieco and Nito Mestre.

Meanwhile, BMG and EMI, have published two CD's with his most popular songs.

Recently EMI has released a new album "CUENTALE AL SOL" wich is actually being promoted on radio and television.

In March 1998 he participates in "GUITAR CRAFT" an intensive course in guitar with legendary british guitarist Robert Fripp (King Crimson).

By this time Eduardo had a family, and he began to dedicate more time to his wife and children and he has become a member of the Chilean musical establishment. His musical career continues and he has twice represented Chile at the lnternational Congress of Musical Composers, in Washington DC in 1994 and in Paris in September 1996.

Actually he plays in Chile on a regular basis of approximately 60 performances a year, and is working on a new recording project.