1951

The son of samba musician Oswaldo "Melodia", from whom Luiz inherited his stage name, grew up in Estácio (on the northern side of Rio de Janeiro), listening to Ismael Silva, Noel Rosa, Geraldo Pereira, Jorge Ben and Jovem Guarda (or New School, an early Brazilian rock movement). Influenced by rock’n’roll, he grouped the band Os Instantâneos. After joining the army, he showed his song "Pérola Negra" to songwriters Torquato Neto and Waly Salomão, who talked Gal Costa into recording it on her album "Gal A Todo Vapor".

The track was so successful that, in the next year, 1973, he released a solo album, named "Pérola Negra". Still by late 1972, Maria Bethânia recorded another big hit of his, "Estácio Holy Estácio", a homage to his old neighborhood. Regarded by the critics as "authentic" for having come from the favela (shantytown) and not playing only samba, Melodia initiated a successful career in Brazil and abroad. By the late 90s, he put out two CDs that feature his eclectic mix of bossa nova, rock, samba, pop, funk, baião and jazz. He is a well-respected performer, and has recorded sambas by Cartola and Zé Kéti, as well as other composers and styles, like Getúlio Cortes ("Negro Gato" - rock) and Cazuza ("Codinome Beija-Flor" – bluesy pop). "Magrelinha", "Dores de Amores", "Vale Quanto Pesa", Ébano", "Juventude Transviada", "Presente Cotidiano", "Estácio, Eu e Você" and "Farrapo Humano" are some other big Luiz Melodia hits.