1964

Icon-composer from the radio days and greatest name of the samba-exaltação (literally, exaltation-samba; a samba written with clear intentions of praising or showing enthusiasm, usually toward Brazilian culture aspects), Ary Barroso was born in Ubá (Minas Gerais, SE), became an orphan at age 7 and was raised by his aunts and grannies, who wanted to turn him either into a classical pianist or into a priest. At age 18, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to study Law. He took nine years to graduate, but never practiced. In Rio, he had to play the piano in movie theaters and cabarets, developing a love of musical theater, then a novelty. He debuted on the radio in 1933 and hosted successful shows both on the radio and on the TV. Still in the 30s, he became a sports broadcaster and forever changed the dynamics of the profession. He would confer an emotional tone to the transmission, while never disguising his preference for (traditional soccer team) Flamengo. Notorious for being hard on anyone who displayed musical opinions or taste different from his, Ary hosted a show for newcomers that revealed important names like Elza Soares and Elizeth Cardoso, singers who would write the history of Brazilian music. Written in 1939, "Aquarela do Brasil" became the alternative Brazilian anthem. "Aquarela" has been recorded hundreds of times all over the world, but the first recording remains as the most famous one, with arrangements by Radamés Gnattali and sang by Francisco Alves. The track turned out so typical that, in English, it was simply named "Brazil". Ary was elected town councilor in 1946 and fought for copyright laws. "Na Batucada da Vida", "Camisa Amarela", "Morena Boca de Ouro" and "Na Baixa do Sapateiro" are some of his greatest hits. In 1995, publishing house Lumiar printed the Ary Barroso songbook and over 50 artists performing his compositions along 3 CDs.