1942

Regarded as one of the most sophisticated samba composers of his time, great lyricist and acclaimed performer, Viola, a native of Rio de Janeiro, is the son of guitarist and chorão (choro performer) César Faria, who played in the group Época de Ouro. Viola was brought up in a musical environment, where renowned musicians, like Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim, used to play jam sessions at his father’s house. Soon, young Viola learnt to play the guitar and cavaquinho (a tiny, 4-string acoustic guitar), and started to hang out with samba groups. In 1962, he wrote his first samba, "Pode Ser Ilusão". In the following year, he became acquainted with samba musicians from the Portela Samba School; wrote the samba tune "Recado", with Casquinha, and joined Portela’s group of composers. In the 60’s, Viola met Cartola, Zé Kéti and other samba musicians from Mangueira samba School, becoming a regular customer of the bar Zicartola.

Invited by Hermínio Bello de Carvalho, Paulinho da Viola performed in the show "Rosa de Ouro", later turned into an album. In 1965, Viola recorded the LPs "Roda de Samba" vol. 1, 2 e 3 with the group A Voz de Morro. Endowed with a smooth-velvet voice, Viola's reputation as a singer grew. In 1968 he performed in music festivals and released his first solo album, "Paulinho da Viola". In the following year, his song "Sinal Fechado", which featured an elaborated harmony diverted from his samba roots, won the 5th Brazilian Music Festival, consolidating his career as a composer.

In the 1970's, Viola re-launched the music style choro and invited the choro group Época de Ouro to play in his show "Sarau".

Viola's greatest hits consist of the samba songs he composed as a tribute to Portela and Mangueira Samba Schools: "Sei Lá, Mangueira" and "Foi um Rio que Passou em Minha Vida", presented by Portela at the 1970 carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro. Viola also composed several Brazilian music classics, like "Dança da Solidão", "Choro Negro", "Jurar com Lágrimas", "Guardei Minha Viola", "Argumento", "Amor à Natureza", "Perdoa", "Coisas do Mundo, Minha Nega", "Sentimento Perdido", "Coração Leviano", "Sarau para Radamés", "Pode Guardar as Panelas", "Onde a Dor Não Tem Razão" (with Elton Medeiros), "Rumo dos Ventos", "Prisma Luminoso" and "Eu Canto Samba".

In 1996, the record label EMI released on CD eleven of Viola's old albums, making the artist’s work available again. After that, Viola released a new album, "Bebadosamba", and soon after, he released the live recording of the album, named "Bebadachama".

Today, Viola continues to perform with old school members of Portela and also alone, captivating new audiences with his elegant style which won him the title of Prince of Samba.