1907

Nicknamed Braguinha since childhood, he got interested in music very early, and put together the group Flor do Tempo along with his school mate, guitarist Henrique Brito, Alvinho and Almirante. In 1929, Noel Rosa joined in and their name was switched to Bando dos Tangarás. By that time, studying architecture, he took up the pseudonym João de Barro (actually, the name of a bird), because he did not want his family and friends to know how deeply he was involved with music, since musicians had to put up with a lot of prejudice, back then. In 1933, the Bando dos Tangarás split up, and Braguinha continued writing and recording music. Carnival songs like "Touradas em Madri", "Pastorinhas" (written with Noel Rosa) and the fox parody "Yes, Nós Temos Bananas" (written with Alberto Ribeiro) enjoyed enormous success in the 30s. In 1937, he wrote the lyrics to the Pixinguinha song that became one of the greatest Brazilian hits ever: "Carinhoso". His songs have been recorded by all of the big radio singers: Mário Reis, Silvio Caldas, Francisco Alves, Carmen Miranda, Dircinha Batista, Almirante, Carlos Galhardo, Anjos do Inferno, Orlando Silva, Emilinha Borba. In the 40s, Braguinha wrote other classics, such as "Copacabana" and "Chiquita Bacana". The influence of his music is felt to this day. In 1984, his life inspired the theme "Yes, Nós Temos Braguinha", which caused Mangueira to win the carnival parade, that year.