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Martinho da Vila, a fundamental figure in Brazilian samba, continues to prove that age is just a detail. At 86 years old, the singer and composer released the album “Violões e cavaquinhos” in 2024, a work that celebrates the acoustic tradition of samba while embracing the future of black Brazilian music.
The album, recorded in a lean format of guitar, cavaquinho and light percussion (played by Martinho himself), features four new sambas and eight re-recordings from the vast repertoire.
Martinho, who has released practically one album a year for more than 50 years, used the album as an opportunity to revisit classics, such as tracks from “Canta, Canta Minha Gente” (1974), which turns 50 in 2024, including “Disritmia”.
One of the album’s highlights is the bold inclusion of artists from new generations. Martinho, with recognized eclecticism, invited rapper L7nnon to participate, in an arrangement that merges Rio trap with roots samba. “Rap is related to samba, it’s all black music, it all comes from Africa, from old drums.”
The album also features the re-recording of one of the biggest hits, “Mulheres” (composed by Toninho Geraes), in a completely unusual way: Martinho chose to recite the lyrics instead of singing them, accompanied only by the cavaquinho, to prevent the song from becoming “bureaucratic” and reinvigorate the meaning of the composition.
In an emotional tribute, the master also took advantage of the album to pay homage to figures who preceded him, such as Donga, Pixinguinha and João da Baiana, with whom he had the happiness of living and who represent the dawn of samba in Rio de Janeiro.
Martinho, who composed and sang about everyday life on the outskirts of Rio and celebrated African heritage, brings in “Violões e cavaquinhos” proof of its continued relevance.
The rich and innovative story will also be told live at the Festival Estilo Brasil, on October 31st, at the Ulysses Centro de Convenções, in Brasília. To secure your place at this iconic show, purchase your tickets on the website.
The Estilo Brasil Festival is hosted by Banco do Brasil Estilo, sponsored by BB Visa, Banco do Brasil and Federal Government cards. The realization is Metropolisesproduced by Oh! Arts.
Schedule:
Fagner
October 24th
Lô Borges, Beto Guedes and Sérgio Hinds
Tour: Corners & Songs
October 25th
Martinho da Vila
October 31
Tim Bernardes
November 8
Paralamas do Sucesso & Dado Villa Lobos
Tour: Celebrating 40 years of Classics
November 21
Caetano Veloso
December 11th
Brazil Style Festival
Local: Ulysses Convention Center
Tickets:
