Paulinho da Viola

Paulinho da Viola, born Paulo César Batista de Faria on November 12, 1942, in Rio de Janeiro, is a legendary sambista, singer-songwriter, and instrumentalist known for his work in samba and choro. Growing up in a musical family, with his father César Faria being a guitarist, Paulinho was exposed to the rich samba culture from an early age. Influential musicians like Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim were frequent visitors to his home, deeply influencing his musical upbringing. Paulinho da Viola began writing songs as a teenager but did not pursue music professionally until he met poet Hermínio Bello de Carvalho in 1964. Their collaboration resulted in "Duvide-o-dó," marking the beginning of his musical career. He gained prominence as a member of the samba group A Voz do Morro in 1965, where he earned his nickname "Paulinho da Viola." Throughout the 1970s, Paulinho da Viola released numerous albums, including notable works like Dança da Solidão (1972) and Nervos de Aço (1973). His music became a staple in samba and choro circles, and he gained a broader audience through tours in Brazil, Europe, and the US. Despite a decline in productivity in the mid-1980s, he made a successful comeback with the acclaimed album Bebadosamba in 1996. Paulinho da Viola's contributions to samba have been recognized by major samba schools, performing his compositions during Rio de Janeiro's annual Carnival. In 2003, the documentary Meu Tempo é Hoje showcased his life and career. In 2008, his live album Acústico MTV (2007) won Best Samba/Pagode Album at the Latin Grammy Awards. He repeated the feat in 2021 with another live album, 2020's Sempre Se Pode Sonhar, recorded at Teatro Fecap in São Paulo.