December’s Brazilian Datebook

 

1

(1921) Composer, poet, journalist, dramatist and radio producer Nestor de Holanda is born in Vitoria de Santo Antao (PE). (1929) Singer and Composer Roberto Luna is born in Serraria (PB). 

 

2

National Day of Samba. Commemorated in some cities, most notably Salvador, where the entire city celebrates, and Rio where the traditional Pagode do Trem goes from Central Station to Station Osvaldo Cruz. (1930) Singer and Composer Oswaldo Nunes born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

 

3

(1932) Singer Rinaldo Calheiros born in Ferrao Velho (AL). (1970) Composer Luis Carlos Parana dies in Sao Paulo.

 

4

(2001) Composer Elton Medeiros, in Rio, received the Shell Prize in Brazilian Music.

 

5

(1919) Popular Singer Blecaute (Otavio Henrique de Oliveira) the “General of the Band” born in Espírito Santo do Pinhal (SP).  (1944) Composer Egberto Gismonti born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

 

6

(1946) Singer Emilio Santiago born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). (1996) Singer and Composer João do Vale dies in São Luis do Maranhão.

 

7

(1925) Composer, Singer, and arranger, Ismael Neto born in Belem (PA). (1942) Singer and Composer Heitor dos Prazeres Filho, Heitorzinho, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Son of composer and artist Heitor dos Prazeres.

 

8

(1935) Singer Alaide Costa born in Rio de Janeiro, one of the great interpreters of Brazilian music.

 

9

(1902) Composer Nelson Ferreira born in Bonito (PE), one of the major composers of Frevo.

(1919) Pianist Ribamer born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). (1935) Composer Almir Ribeiro born in Sao João da Boa Vista (SP).

 

10

(1980) Composer  and Journalist David Nasser died in São Paulo. He wrote for the main newspapers and magazines of Rio, O Cruzeiro, O Jornal, O Globo, and wrote the lyrics to several successful songs, “Nega do Cabelo Duro” (notably recorded by Elis Regina), “Engole ele”, and “Confete e Maria”.

 

11

(1910) The great composer, Noel Rosa  ‘The Cole Porter of Brazil” is born in Rio de Janeiro.  The poet of Vila Isabel wrote more than 300 songs; his first success was “Com que Roupa”. (2003) Composer Cesar Pinheiro wins the Shell Prize in Brazilian Music.

 

12

(1932) Composer Noca da Portela born in Rio de Janeiro. (1936) Composer Wilson Moreira born in Paraiba do Sul (RJ), writer of several fine MPB songs and partner, among others, of Nei Lopes. (1945) Composer and pianist Wagner Tiso born.  He is known as one of the best arrangers and instrumentalists of MPB.

 

13

(1912) Singer and Composer Luis Gonzaga “The King of Baiao” is born in Exú (PE).  Among the highlights of his career include: “Asa Branca” (with Humberto Texeira), “Triste Partida” (with Patativa do Assare).  Died August 2, 1989. (1968) Opening of the Bar BipBip in Copacabana, known for the best Roda de Samba in the city.

 

14

(1901) Composer, Pianist, Cellist Homéro Dornelas born in Rio de Janeiro.  Died Dec. 28, 1990

 

15

(1905) Composer and Maestro Waldemar Henrique born in Belem (PA). Died March 28,1995.

 

16

(1908)  Composer Dunga (Waldemar de Abreu) born in Rio de Janeiro. 

 

17

(1966) Pioneering Bossa Nova and MPB singer Silvia Teles dies in Rio de Janeiro, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, only days after her successful TV debut on the Andy Williams Show in New York City.

 

18

(1908) Singer, Poet, and Composer Zé do Norte (Alfredo Ricardo do Nascimento) born in Cajazeiras (PB). (1913) Singer Ronaldo Lupo born in Sao Paulo(SP).

 

19

(1930) Violinist and Composer Manuel da Concelção born in Rio de Janeiro.  Known for “Mão de Vaca”. Died June 30, 1996 in Rio de Janeiro. (1941) Composer Jose Carlos Capinam is born in Esplanda (BA). He was a songwriting partner with, among others, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Edu Lopo and João Bosco.

 

20

(1931) Composer Benil Santos born in Rio de Janeiro. (1948) Composer Roberto Gnatalli born in Rio de Janeiro.

 

21

(1924) Altamiro(Aquino)Carrilho born in Santo Antonio de Padua (RJ). 

 

22

(1980) Composer and radio announcer Almirante (Henrique Foreis Domingues), died. Born on Feb.19, 1908 in Rio de Janeiro.  In 1929 wrote his first samba, “Na Pavuna”.  He was responsible for innovations in radio as producer and presenter of programs.

 

23

(1919) Pianist Aloysio Figueiredo born in Cajuru (SP). (1950) Singer Cristina Buarque de Hollanda, sister of two singers and composers: Chico Buarque and Miucha Ana de Hollanda. Cristina is a well know interpreter of Samba.

 

24

(1901) Composer J.B. de Carvalho born in Rio de Janeiro. (1935) Composer and Musical Producer Carlos Imperial born in Cachoeiro do Itapemirim(ES).  Known for  the song “Rei da Pilantragem”. Died in Rio on Nov. 4, 1992. (1958) Singer and Composer Olivia Byington born in Rio de Janeiro.

 

25

(1949) Singer Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira born in Salvador. 

 

26

(1914) Composer and Pianist Walzinho born in Rio de Janeiro.

 

27

(1943) Composer and Instrumentalist Mauricio Tapajos, son of singer composer Paulo Tapajos and brother to Dorinha and Paulinho Tapajos, born in Rio de Janeiro.  He composed as a partner with Aldir Blanc, Paulo Cesar Pinheiro and Herminio Bello de Cavalho.  Died April 21, 1995.

 

28

(1945) Writer, Journalist, and Researcher of MPB Luis Fernando Vieira born in Rio de Janeiro.

 

29

(1940) Singer and Composer Jorge Ben bon in Rio de Janeiro.  Later changed last name to Benjor.  Wrote Mais Que Nada and many other Samba Soul and MPB hits.

 

30

(1911) Composer Ciro de Souza born in Rio de Janeiro. (1914) Composer and violinist Aluisio de Oliveira born in Rio de Janeiro.  (1930) Noel Rosa records the Samba “Com Que Roupa”.

 

31

(1947) Singer and Composer Rita Lee Jones born in Americana (SP).  Singer in the Tropicalismo group Os Mutantes, later an accomplished solo career.   (1997) Football Player, Pianist, and lawyer Capiba (Lourenco da Fonseca Barbosa born in Recife. He composed “Meu Destino” in 1923. Partnered with, among others, Ariano Suassuna.