Airto Moreira isn’t merely an accomplished musician who has been a professional practically since childhood. He’s also an official hero of his home nation of Brazil.

Moreira was born Aug. 5, 1941, in Itaiopolis, Brazil, and was raised in the cities of Curitiba and São Paulo. He showed a natural ability for music, and by age 13 was a professional drummer. His first landmark recording was “Quarteto Novo” with Hermeto Pascoal in 1967. Shortly after, he followed his wife, jazz singer Flora Purnim, to the United States. They now live in Los Angeles, and Moreira’s daughter, Diana Moreira, is also a professional vocalist who sings for her father’s jam band, which debuted at the 2005 Starwood Festival.

Upon moving to the States, Airto began playing with jazz musicians in New York. Making connections that worked his way to the top, Moreira played with basisst Walter Booker, who introduced him to Joe Zawinul, who in turn brought him to the attention of the great Miles Davis. Moreiro brought his considerable talents to the table, helping Davis, who was experimenting with electronic instruments and the rock and funk rythms that someday would become known as jazz fusion. Some of their best work was heard on the recording “Bitches Brew.”

After two years, Moreira parted ways with Davis to rejoin Zawinul on a new project, the group “Weather Report.” Moreira then collaborated with another Miles Davis alum, Chick Corea, in the band “Return to Forever.” The latter band’s first two records, a self-titled debut and a second offering, “Light As A Feather,” are considered classics in the fusion genre.

Through the years, Moreira’s resume and list of collaborations has continued to grow. He’s backed some of the biggest names in jazz, including Cannonball Adderly, lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Paul Desmond, Jack DeJohnette, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola, Dave Holland, Keith Jarrett, George Duke, Mickey Hart and Zakir Hussain. He’s also played in symphonic orchestras and as a soloist; his live performances often include a samba solo where Moreira emulates the sounds of an entire band by playing a single pandeiro.

He also likes to educate audiences on the pronunciation of his name with anatomical references: “Eye, ear, toe.”

Moreira also has played at the reopening of the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, taught at UCLA and the California Brazil Camp, and worked on the scores of such films as “Apocalypse Now” and “Last Tango in Paris.”

Among Moreira’s many honors, he was voted the No. 1 percussionist in the “Down Beat Magazine” critics’ poll for eight straight years, from 1975-82 (and most recently in 1993).

In September 2002, Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso presented Moreira and his wife with the Order of Rio Branco, one of Brazil’s highest honors. The Order of Rio Branco was established in 1963 to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Brailians and foreign individuals who have “significantly contributed” to the promotion of Brazil’s relations around the world.