Country

:

Brazil

Genre

:

Opera

 

Roberto Silva was a Brazilian classical music artist who was born on February 14, 1920, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a renowned percussionist, composer, and singer who made significant contributions to the Brazilian music industry. Silva was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a percussionist who played in a local samba school. This early exposure to music sparked Silva's interest in percussion, and he began playing the drums at a young age. Silva's musical career began in the 1940s when he joined the band of renowned Brazilian composer Ary Barroso. He quickly gained recognition for his exceptional percussion skills and became a sought-after musician in the Brazilian music scene. Silva's talent and dedication to his craft led him to work with some of the most prominent Brazilian musicians of his time, including Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim, and Cartola. In the 1950s, Silva began to focus on his solo career and released his first album, "Batuqueiro," in 1955. The album was a huge success and established Silva as a leading percussionist in Brazil. He continued to release several successful albums throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "Ritmo e Melodia," "Samba de Enredo," and "Samba de Morro." Silva's music was heavily influenced by the samba and choro genres, which are traditional Brazilian music styles. He was known for his unique percussion style, which incorporated a variety of instruments, including the pandeiro, surdo, and tamborim. Silva's music was also characterized by his smooth and soulful singing voice, which added a layer of depth and emotion to his performances. One of Silva's most significant achievements was his participation in the 1959 Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert featured some of the most prominent Brazilian musicians of the time, including João Gilberto, Tom Jobim, and Sergio Mendes. Silva's performance at the concert was highly praised, and he received critical acclaim for his exceptional percussion skills. Silva's success continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and he continued to release several successful albums. He also collaborated with several international musicians, including American jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and French composer Francis Lai. In addition to his successful music career, Silva was also a respected music educator. He taught percussion at the Escola Nacional de Música in Rio de Janeiro and mentored several young musicians who went on to become successful in their own right. Silva's contributions to the Brazilian music industry were recognized with several awards and honors throughout his career. In 1965, he was awarded the prestigious Chico Viola award for his contributions to Brazilian music. He was also awarded the Medalha da Ordem do Mérito Cultural by the Brazilian government in 2005. Roberto Silva passed away on April 9, 2015, at the age of 95. His legacy as a pioneering percussionist and composer in the Brazilian music industry continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

More....