An important composer of the samba of the hills, Martinho da Vila has written many successful sambas-enredo (the vehicles for the parades of the samba schools during the Carioca Carnival). As a composer and interpreter, he has recorded more than 30 LPs and CDs, some of which have sold over one million copies. His songs have been recorded by many interpreters, among them Simone, Beth Carvalho, Roberto Ribeiro, and Alcione.
At 13, da Vila began to frequent the Escola de Samba Aprendizes da Boca do Mato. At 15, he wrote the samba de terreiro "Piquenique." In 1957, he began to write one samba-enredo per year for his samba school's parade, beginning with "Carlos Gomes" in that year, and following with "Tamandaré" (1958), "Machado de Assis" (1959), "Rui Barbosa na Conferência de Haia" (1960), and nine others in subsequent years. Along with the role of composer, he also was the mestre de harmonia of that school. In 1965, the school paraded to his samba "Construtores da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro," and in the next year he moved to G.R.E.S. Unidos de Vila Isabel (where he developed a new style of samba-enredo) and adopted the nickname Martinho da Vila.
At 13, da Vila began to frequent the Escola de Samba Aprendizes da Boca do Mato. At 15, he wrote the samba de terreiro "Piquenique." In 1957, he began to write one samba-enredo per year for his samba school's parade, beginning with "Carlos Gomes" in that year, and following with "Tamandaré" (1958), "Machado de Assis" (1959), "Rui Barbosa na Conferência de Haia" (1960), and nine others in subsequent years. Along with the role of composer, he also was the mestre de harmonia of that school. In 1965, the school paraded to his samba "Construtores da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro," and in the next year he moved to G.R.E.S. Unidos de Vila Isabel (where he developed a new style of samba-enredo) and adopted the nickname Martinho da Vila.
Alvaro Neder, All Music Guide
Posted by "youviciado" November 2008
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