1974

Was born in Rio de Janeiro, the youngest of twelve brothers. As a child, he attended samba meetings and afro rituals. João participated in carnival blocos and is regarded as the one who introduced the tambourine into the samba. He started writing music and recording in 1923. Some of the songs that he wrote then are: "Pelo Amor da Mulata", "Mulher Cruel", "Pedindo Vingança" and "O Futuro É uma Caveira". He was a member of pioneering samba groups, such as Conjunto dos Moles, Grupo do Louro, Grupo da Guarda Velha and Diabos do Céu. João was also present at the legendary recording session organized by maestro Heitor Villa-Lobos on board of the ship "Uruguai", in 1940, for the album "Native Brazilian Music". He recorded the song "Ke-ke-re-ké". He kept writing songs until the 1970s. In 1968, João recorded the tracks "Cabide de Molambo" and "Batuque na Cozinha" on the historic LP "Gente da Antiga", with Pixinguinha and Clementina de Jesus.