Luiz Gonzaga
Brazilian recording artist, songwriter, singer (1912-1989)
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Key Takeaways
- Luiz Gonzaga do Nascimento (standard orthography 'Luís'; Portuguese pronunciation: [luˈiz ɡõˈzaɡɐ] ; December 13, 1912 – August 2, 1989) was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, musician and poet and one of the most influential figures of Brazilian popular music in the twentieth century.
- According to Caetano Veloso, he was the first significant cultural event with mass appeal in Brazil.
- The Luiz Gonzaga Dam was named in his honor.
- Biography Son of Januário José dos Santos (1888–1978), a farmer and accordion player, and Anna Batista de Jesus (1893–1960), a housewife, Gonzaga was attracted to the accordion at a very early age, and he used to accompany his father at parties and religious celebrations.
- On leaving the army he decided to remain in Rio de Janeiro, performing in the streets and in bars.
Luiz Gonzaga do Nascimento (standard orthography 'Luís'; Portuguese pronunciation: [luˈiz ɡõˈzaɡɐ]; December 13, 1912 – August 2, 1989) was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, musician and poet and one of the most influential figures of Brazilian popular music in the twentieth century. He has been credited with having presented the rich universe of Northeastern musical genres to all of Brazil, having popularized the musical genre baião and has been called a "revolutionary" by Antônio Carlos Jobim. According to Caetano Veloso, he was the first significant cultural event with mass appeal in Brazil. Luiz Gonzaga received the Shell prize for Brazilian Popular Music in 1984 and was only the fourth artist to receive this prize after Pixinguinha, Antônio Carlos Jobim and Dorival Caymmi. The Luiz Gonzaga Dam was named in his honor.
Gonzaga's son, Luiz Gonzaga do Nascimento Jr, known as Gonzaguinha (1945–1991), was also a noted Brazilian singer and composer.
Biography
Son of Januário José dos Santos (1888–1978), a farmer and accordion player, and Anna Batista de Jesus (1893–1960), a housewife, Gonzaga was attracted to the accordion at a very early age, and he used to accompany his father at parties and religious celebrations. He later went to do his military service, where he learned to play the cornet. On leaving the army he decided to remain in Rio de Janeiro, performing in the streets and in bars.
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