Vivendo de Pao formed in 1996, inspired by singer/songwriter Kevin Welch's experiences while living in the simple thatched roof hut villages of the Brazilian Amazon. Iintense rhythm and flowing melodies celebrate the ability of the human spirit to overcome adversity and celebrate life in all its richness and beauty.

Vivendo de Pao Home Page Kevin Welch, Vivendo de Pao's leader and founder, lived on the banks of the Amazon River and became captivated by a music that exults the simple living of daily life. Arriving in the Bay area, the singer / songwriter / guitarist focused his efforts on cultivating the syncretism of world music with American jazz / funk sensibilities. Richard Howell's professional experience covers the entire spectrum of the music business ~ multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, arranger, educator and music producer. He has contributed his talents, performing and recording with major artists through a musical career involving everything from film and television soundtracks to advertising jingles to music education. As a saxophonist, Richard's spirited abilities have been mingled with the talents of Etta James, Chaka Khan, Della Reese, Don Cherry, The Phenix Horns Eqs., Cecil Taylor, Willie Bobo, Charlie Musselwhite, Joe Louis Walker, Angela Bofilled, Narda Michael Walden and the Motels, among others. Richard has performed at such famous venues as the Tonight Show, Montreux Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, the Royal Albert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and many more. He is the founder of R.C. Howell Music, a music production company. David Ewell fills in the warm tone of an acoustic bass. David has spent the past several years cutting his teeth with such local jazz greats as Josh Jones, Peter Apfelbaum and Bishop Norman Williams, in addition to working with 2 Live Crew. Darryl Wilburn finesses the upper register with the graceful sounds of the alto saxophone. Drawing from years of big band experience, including the Montreaux Jazz Festival, Darryl's saxophone sings over the plush texture created by the rhythm section. Eddie Torres has performed with the Escola Nova de Samba performing company since 1992, after being inspired by the power of the surdo (drum) at one of their shows. He has since performed with the Grateful Dead, at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta with Carlos Santana, and at "New Orleans by The Bay" at The Shoreline Amphitheater. Eddie is a percussionist as well as a drummer, playing congas, caixa, tamborim, agogo and "American" (trap) drums. Wilson Low arrived in the Bay area from Sao Paulo touring with the internationally acclaimed Oba-Oba. He has since worked with Amen Santos and Ballet Folklorico do Brasil. He has performed in the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival with Gingarte, a Brazilian art and dance company he co-founded, as well as headlining the Glasgow International Music Festival. He is the Artistic Director for MaraReggae's Carnival contingent, as well as a mestre of Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art. Low plays berimbau, repenique, agogo, surdo, pandeiro, congas and caxixi. Walter Mackins' Brazilian influence began in 1984, when he joined Escola Nova de Samba, San Francisco's premiere samba school. He soon began playing surdo and percussion, and has since performed with Escola Nova de Samba, Ginga Brasil, Oju Oba, Viva Brasil and Marareggae. Walter has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and with Mickey Hart at the Bay Area Music Awards, "The Bammies."