CHRISTAFARI ’ S RENATO TAIMES by Bruce Adolph
[ WM ] We are so glad to have this chance to get to know you Renato . Let ’ s start at the beginning . You were born and raised in a massive slum on the hillside in Sao Paulo , Brazil and your father was a musician . How did you get started playing instruments in such a difficult environment ?
[ Renato ] Obviously , 2022 is not like the 90s , which was when I grew up . At that time things were much more difficult in Brazil . It was virtually impossible to get quality American instruments back then .
My father was always passionate about the guitar . When I was very young , my Dad told me a story of when he was fired from a job and spent his final paycheck on a delay pedal instead of paying rent or buying food for our household . My mother was very angry - but for me , my father was a great example , and a true superhero ! In addition to being an incredible musician , he ’ s a man of great character . Despite coming from a very humble family , my Dad always worked very hard to provide for our house . He saved for a long time to buy me my first guitar - a Japanese Fender Strat . This was a very original guitar for the time . Where I lived it was almost unattainable !
I definitely inherited this passion for musical instruments and pedals from my father . While
I make sure that I provide for my family , I prefer to have a very simple and small car so that I can afford to have the guitars I ’ ve always dreamed of .
[ WM ] How did you further your education in so many different musical instruments ?
[ Renato ] I grew up in the church , so this was a natural thing for me . I had to attend the services , but there weren ’ t enough musicians , so like every child who grew up in a musical home , I was curious and had many opportunities to learn . I started trying to understand the differences between guitar and bass . Piano came later when I had the opportunity to go