Paulinho Fonseca

Gretsch Artist Since: 2017

Country: BR

Band or Affiliations: Jota Quest

Current Kit Setup:
Kit 1
USA Custom in Turquoise Pearl
16x20 BD, 7x10 RT, 8x12 RT, 9x13 RT, 14x14 FT, 16x16 FT, 18x18 FT
6.5X14 USA Chrome Over Brass SD

Kit 2
USA Custon Seafoam Green Gloss
14x20 BD, 6x10 RT, 6x12 RT, 14x14 FT
6.5x14 Hammered Chrome Over Brass SD

Kit 3
USA Brooklyn in Red Oyster
16x18 BD, 8x8 RT, 8x10 RT, 9x12 RT, 14x14 FT
7x12 Aah Soan Signature SD

Influences:
Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Omar Hakim, Vinnie Colaiuta, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Gerald Hayward, Aaron Spears, Ash Soan, Carlos Bala

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"Because I love the sound of the Gretschs, their whole history and the support they've always given me. I really feel like I'm in a family that has always breathed music."

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"Always believe in yourself and your convictions within music."

Bio:
Paulinho Fonseca, born in Belo Horizonte in 1966, began his musical journey at the age of 20 in 1986, choosing the drums as his main instrument. From the very start, his focus was on creating original music. He initially explored pop and rock but soon discovered his passion for Black music (Funk, Disco, Soul, R&B), which became his true calling.

As a founding member of Jota Quest, one of Brazil’s most successful and beloved pop rock bands, Paulinho brought his unique groove and creativity to the group. Formed in 1993, during a peak in Brazil’s pop rock scene, Jota Quest was signed by Sony Music in 1996 and went on to release ten studio albums, five live albums, six DVDs, and a Spanish-language album, Dias Mejores (2010). With over 5 million copies sold and more than 30 million views on YouTube/Vevo, the band solidified its place in Brazilian music history.

The band won in this decade two prizes of the Latino Grammy. In 2011 with the album “Quinze”as the best contemporanium pop brazilian album and in 2013 with “CD DVD Rock in Rio – Ao Vivo” the best brazilian rock album. In 2014 the album “Funky Funky Boom Boom” was indicated to run for the best contemporanium pop brazilian album.

In 2015 they released Pancadélico, a very important album for the band and for Paulinho, because it connected them with great names in world music. this was there second work in a row with the production signed by Jerry Barnes (known for working with Chic, Nile Rodgers, and Aretha Franklin). This album features collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai, Mark Ronson), and percussionists Bashiri Johnson, Mauro Refosco, and keyboardist Cory Henry.

From 2017 to 2019, Jota Quest embarked on their Acoustic Tour, performing over 300 shows, which resulted in millions of audiovisual streams. They are now concluding their 25th Anniversary Tour, celebrating with the release of a new album, De Volta ao Novo (Back to the New), and over 400 performances in Brazil’s largest venues. This milestone tour has also inspired a documentary and live recordings set to stream soon.

Paulinho continues to innovate on stage with his unique blend of groove and precision, supported by state-of-the-art equipment, including Gretsch drums, Domene cymbals, Roland electronics, Liverpool Hickory Signature drumsticks, DW hardware and pedals, and Universal Audio microphones. His passion for creating distinctive and memorable performances remains a driving force in his career.