Geraldo de Oliveira started playing percussion professionally at the age of fourteen in his hometown Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In 1975 he decided to make the big move to Chicago.

Since then, his sounds have been heard in the recordings of many Chicago artists such as Ramsey Lewis, Judy Roberts, Jerry Butler, Tyrone Davis, Walter Jackson, Linda Clifford, Rich Fudoli, Bobby Lewis, Guy Fricano, Gene Chandler, The Chi Lites, Mike Ferro, Chévere, Don Stiernberg, Paulinho Garcia, Grazyna Auguscik, The Numa Band, and others. He was also a guest artist on the last album recorded by world famous drummer Buddy Rich.

Geraldo is a guest faculty member for the Birch Creek Music Center in Door County, Wisconsin, and Brazilian percussion instructor for the Old Town School of Folk Music. He has conducted many Brazilian percussion clinics and master classes at high schools, colleges, and PAS events in the US, and was recently awarded the 2013 Dal Segno Recognition for Professional Achievement.

Geraldo performs regularly in the Chicago area with different groups including Trio Copacabana, Paulinho Garcia, Planeta Azul, and the Lake Side Singers, He is also the featured percussionist for Andy Tecson’s musical productions “The Jazz Passion” and “Bending Towards the Light”.