Luiz Gonzaga

    Luiz Gonzaga

    December 13, 1912 (112 years old) in Exu, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Luiz Gonzaga do Nascimento (Exu, December 13, 1912 – Recife, August 2, 1989) was a Brazilian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Also known as the King of Baião, he was considered one of the most complete, important, and creative figures in Brazilian popular music. Singing accompanied by his accordion, zabumba, and triangle (the basic set of baião singers, which he himself defined), he spread the musical culture of the Northeast across the entire country, including genres such as baião, xaxado, xote, and forró pé de serra. His compositions also described the poverty, sorrows, and injustices of his arid homeland, the northeastern sertão. Luiz Gonzaga gained notoriety with the iconic songs "Asa Branca" (1947), "Juazeiro" (1948), and "Baião de Dois" (1950). Adoptive father of the musician Gonzaguinha, Gonzagão influenced other MPB artists such as Geraldo Vandré, Raul Seixas, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso.

    Known For

    Gonzaga: From Father to SonGonzaga: From Father to Son
    Grandes NomesGrandes Nomes
    Viva o GordoViva o Gordo
    O Barato de IacangaO Barato de Iacanga
    No Way, SpiderNo Way, Spider

    Credits