1914

Born in Bahia, Caymmi has been largely responsible for this State’s current image. His unique style of songwriting and singing has set a new benchmark for several generations of Brazilian musicians. In the city of Salvador, the capital of Bahia (NE), Caymmi had several jobs before trying his luck as a radio singer. As a songwriter, he won the 1936 carnival contest. Two years later Caymmi moved to Rio de Janeiro to be a law student and maybe look for a job as a journalist, which he had already done in Salvador. Encouraged by his friends, he changed his mind and decided to pursue a music career, instead. By chance, his song "O Que É Que a Baiana Tem" was included in the feature film "Banana da Terra", starred by Carmen Miranda. After that, his fame grew. He performed consistently on Radio Nacional, where he met the singer and future wife Stella Maris. They have been married since 1940 and the couple’s three children Dori, Danilo and Nana, are also musicians. Caymmi’s most famous songs describe natural beauties of his native Bahia, including its breathtaking beaches. This has largely contributed to the creation of an Image of Brazil that has been shared by Brazilians as well as foreigners. Some of his most acclaimed songs are "A Lenda do Abaeté", "Promessa de Pescador", "É Doce Morrer no Mar", "Marina", "Não Tem Solução", "João Valentão", "Maracangalha", "Saudade de Itapoã", "Doralice", "Samba da Minha Terra", "Lá Vem a Baiana", "Suíte dos Pescadores", "Sábado em Copacabana", "Nem Eu", "Nunca Mais", "Saudades da Bahia", "Dora", "Oração pra Mãe Menininha", "Rosa Morena", "Eu Não Tenho Onde Morar", "Promessa de Pescador", "Das Rosas". In his 60-year career, Dorival Caymmi has recorded around 20 albums, including an incalculable number of versions of his songs made by other musicians. Even though his work is not very extensive in size, it is gigantic in terms of quality. In 1994, publishing house Lumiar released a comprehensive Dorival Caymmi songbook, accompanied by 3 compilation CDs.