A section dedicated to the composers and rhythms of Brazil’s Northeast. Find biographies, stories and analyses of traditional genres — baião, xote, xaxado, côco, frevo, forró — and modern movements such as axé and mangue beat. Discover the cultural legacy of artists who have shaped the musical identity of the Northeast and their influence on Brazilian music.
To understand frevo is to reconstruct the history of Recife’s working classes and the city’s urban development between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Frevo was born among the people and quickly became a defining feature of the city. 1. The Role of Urban Space and Public Authority Since […]
According to many scholars, music and dance have been part of Brazilian culture since its inception, providing an outlet for the tensions arising from the diversity of individuals involved in the process and facilitating the adaptation of a European social model to a tropical context. Frevo, linked to Carnival, depicts […]
Jackson do Pandeiro: Biography and History José Gomes Filho, known as Jackson do Pandeiro (the King of Rhythm), was born on 30 August 1919 and died on 10 July 1982. He was an important instrumentalist, composer and singer who recorded a number of forrós and sambas and helped to popularise […]
Forró has its origins in the public dances held at the end of the 19th century and called “forrobodó”, “forrobodança” or “forrobodão”. Exploring the history of forró reveals how these dances developed into the lively cultural expression we know today. At that time, it was necessary to form the floor […]
Bossa Nova: “The Girl From Ipanema” with Frank Sinatra Bossa Nova, which had been developing since 1962, was firmly established with the album Getz/Gilberto – a collaboration between Stan Getz and João Gilberto, featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim. Album Recognition I do not recall seeing anything significant in the Brazilian media […]
Biography of the Bahian singer-songwriter João Gilberto João Gilberto do Prado Pereira de Oliveira (Juazeiro, 10 June 1931 – Rio de Janeiro, 6 July 2021), better known as João Gilberto, is a Brazilian musician considered the creator of the bossa nova rhythm. João Gilberto was given a guitar at the […]
Biography of the Maranhão Singer Alcione Alcione, born on November 21, 1947, in São Luís, Maranhão, lived her youth in Rio de Janeiro and began her professional career at the age of 20. Since she was young, influenced by her father, a police officer and member of his corporation’s band, […]
Biography of the Pernambuco Singer and Composer Alceu Valença Alceu Paiva Valença, better known as Alceu Valença, is a renowned singer and composer from Brazil, born on July 1, 1946 in São Bento do Una, Pernambuco. From a very young age, Alceu showed a passion for music, being encouraged by […]
Biography of the singer Elba Ramalho Elba Maria Nunes Ramalho, or simply Elba Ramalho, is the fourth daughter of the couple João Nunes de Souza and Maria Geni Ramalho. Their children, in order, are: Everaldo, Everton, Ednovalda (Vavá), Elba, Eracliton, and João Nunes Filho, all born in Conceição/PB. Beginning of […]
Biography of Singer and Composer Carlinhos Brown Carlinhos Brown, stage name of Antônio Carlos Santos de Freitas, was born in Salvador on November 23, 1962. He is a renowned singer, percussionist, composer, producer, and cultural agitator from Brazil. In Spain, he is also known as Carlito Marrón. Origin of the […]
Biography of Singer Gal Costa Gal Costa, stage name of Maria da Graça Costa Penna Burgos, was born in Salvador on September 26, 1945. She is a renowned Brazilian singer, having sold around 500 million records throughout her career. Family and Early Influences Gal is the daughter of Mariah Costa […]
The life and work of Dominguinhos: The Master of the Brazilian Sanfona José Domingos (Garanhuns, 12 February 1941), known as Dominguinhos, was a Brazilian instrumentalist, vocalist and composer. His contribution to Brazilian music is undeniable, especially with regard to the accordion and its various styles. 1. Early years Neném do […]
Triangle, Accordion, and Zabumba: The Foundation of Forró Pé-de-Serra – Forró Pé-de-Serra in the Northeast The Growth of Forró Pé-de-Serra Forró pé-de-serra is the fastest-growing musical style in Brazil today. There are specialized forró houses and a true recording industry exploring this rhythm throughout the country. Popularity in São Paulo […]
The evolution of forró and its cultural diversity The forró style has gone through three major phases since its inception in the 1940s. This evolution has been controversial, but critics say the different formats can coexist. Festivities open This week marks the start of the main forró marathon during the […]
Luiz Gonzaga: The legacy of the King of Baião in Brazilian music Luiz Gonzaga (1912-1989) was a renowned Brazilian musician, known as a accordionist, singer and composer. He was given the title “King of the Baião” for his significant contribution to the valorisation of the northeastern rhythms, bringing the baião, […]
Music, rhythms and dances of the Northeast: A Celebration of Brazilian Culture It’s impossible to think about Brazilian culture without considering the music and rhythms of the Northeast. The themes and inventiveness of Northeastern music represent a mixture of influences, where tradition and innovation coexist. Cultural influences Throughout Brazil, the […]
The brilliant career of Gilberto Gil: the genius of Brazilian music and his global influence Gilberto Gil is one of the greatest figures in Brazilian music, recognised the world over. His international career has earned him a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 1998 and a Latin Grammy […]
Discover the cultural richness of the samba de roda: Origins, Instruments and Intangible Heritage Samba de Roda is a more primitive musical variant of the samba, which originated in the Brazilian state of Bahia in the 17th century, probably in the 19th century. This traditional Afro-Brazilian musical style is associated […]
Ivete Sangalo full biography: The Queen of Axé and her influence on Brazilian music Early life and career Ivete Sangalo was born in Juazeiro, in the interior of Bahia, into a family of musicians. She began singing as a child and later played the guitar during school holidays. She also […]
The Salvadorian Carnival is now the largest folk festival in the world. During the six days of carnival, around 2 million revelers parade along the routes known as Batatinha, Dodô and Osmar. But it wasn’t always so. The evolution of carnival Until the end of the 19th century, the petit […]
On June 26, 2009, the band Olodum held a tribute to Michael Jackson at Largo do Pelourinho in Salvador—the location where the artist filmed scenes for the music video “They Don’t Care About Us” in February 1996. Thirty musicians performed for the passersby. Memories and emotion Ubiraci Carvalho, known as […]
Biography of Dorival Caymmi: The maestro of beach songs and samba canção Dorival Caymmi is considered one of the greatest composers of Brazilian popular music, with a body of work dominated by beach themes and songs that celebrate the beauty of his homeland. Early years Born in Salvador on 30 […]
Caetano Veloso: The Career of an Icon of Brazilian Popular Music and the Impact of Tropicalism on Freedom of Expression Caetano Emanuel Viana Telles Veloso, known simply as Caetano Veloso, is an icon of Brazilian popular music (MPB). Born on 7 August 1942 in Santo Amaro da Purificação, 73 kilometres […]
Daniela Mercury: The Queen of Axé Music and Her Influence on Brazilian Music Daniela Mercury, stage name of Daniela Mercuri de Almeida, was born in Salvador on 28 July 1965. She is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actress and television presenter, recognised for her significant contribution to Brazilian music. […]
Maria Bethânia: The queen bee of Brazilian popular music and her enduring legacy Maria Bethânia Viana Teles Veloso, better known as Maria Bethânia, was born on 18 June 1946 in Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia. She is one of the most important Brazilian singers, the second best-selling female artist in […]
Full biography of Simone Bittencourt: The star of Brazilian music Birth and name The singer Simone Bittencourt was born on Christmas Day 1949 in Salvador, the capital of Bahia. For this reason she was to be christened Natalina, but in the end the name Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira prevailed. Family […]
The New Bahians: The musical revolution of Bahia in the 1960s and 1970s The Novos Baianos were formed in Bahia in the 1960s by Paulinho Boca de Cantor, Pepeu Gomes, Moraes Moreira, Dadi, Galvão, Jorginho, Baixinho, Bolacha and Baby. The group made their debut with the show “Desembarque dos Bichos […]
The fascinating history and evolution of carnival: from ancient times to today The origin of Carnival is a controversial subject. Some historians associate the beginning of Carnival celebrations with ancient rituals performed to praise good harvests, ten thousand years before Christ. Historical influences Others say it began later, in Egypt, […]
Biography of Morais Moreira: The career of the Bahian singer and composer Antônio Carlos Moreira Pires (Morais Moreira) was born on 8 July 1947 in Ituaçú, Bahia. Early career Growing up in the hinterland of Bahia, Morais Moreira began playing the accordion at an early age, later switching to the […]
The influence of Carmen Miranda on Brazilian music: From the popularisation of samba to its internationalisation in Hollywood When, in 1939, Carmen Miranda (born on 9 February 1909 and died on 5 August 1955) recorded one of her most famous songs, “O Que É Que a Baiana Tem” (What Does […]
Biography of Raul Seixas: The journey of a Brazilian rock legend Childhood and influences Raul Seixas (Raul dos Santos Seixas) was born in Salvador, Bahia, on 28 June 1945, the son of Raul Varella Seixas and Maria Eugênia Seixas. He comes from the same region and generation as Gilberto Gil, […]
A practical guide to things to do in Pelourinho: Baroque churches, museums, squares, a suggested itinerary and tips for making the most of
The beaches of Salvador, Bahia, offer 50 km of coastline with something for everyone: beaches with calm waters perfect for families, reefs that form
Arembepe is a charming village on the north coast of Bahia, around 42 km from Salvador. Known for its historic Hippie Village, the Tamar Project site
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a vibrant city where history, Afro-Brazilian culture, music and beaches come together — the perfect setting for
Bahia Maritime Museum: what you need to know before visiting Housed within the iconic Barra Lighthouse, the Bahia Maritime Museum is one of
A quick cultural guide to Salvador’s most popular museums, with practical tips on how to make the most of each visit. Salvador is a cultural hub
Paranaguá Palace — Ilhéus (Bahia) Paranaguá Palace, listed by the Bahia Institute of Artistic and Cultural Heritage (IPAC), is one of the
São Jorge Parish Church in Ilhéus (BA): a heritage site of historical, Jesuit and religious art significance The Parish Church of São Jorge is one
The Convent and Church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade: a neo-Gothic heritage site and religious symbol of Ilhéus (BA) The Church of Nossa Senhora da
History of the Cathedral of São Sebastião in Ilhéus — architecture, chronology and significance The design of the Cathedral of São Sebastião
