Brazilian bossa nova singer Dorival Caymmi dies at 94
19.08.2008 17:01
Arts
- Source: cbc.ca
Dorival Caymmi, a Brazilian composer and singer known as the "Grandfather of Bossa Nova," has died at age 94. Caymmi died Saturday at his home in Rio de Janeiro of kidney cancer and multiple organ failure. His 1939 hit song What does the Bahiana Have? brought entertainer Carmen Miranda to the attention of a U.S. producer, launching her Hollywood career in the 1940s. He was very influential on Brazilian popular music, and his style has been copied by singers such as Joo Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Beth Carvalho. Caymmi's career spanned more than 60 years, and he composed more than 100 songs and recorded nearly 20 albums. He had a deep intimate voice and a style based on Afro-Brazilian rhythms and the indigenous folk sounds of the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia, his birthplace. Bossa nova pioneer Antonio Carlos Jobim once called him a "universal genius" and his country's greatest composer. 3 days of mourningThe state governors of Bahia and Rio declared three days of official mourning to honor Caymmi. Born April 30, 1914, in Salvador, the capital of Bahia province, he was a reporter with the Bahia's newspaper O Imparcial before moving to Rio de Janeiro in 1937. He wrote songs at the same time he wrote for a Rio newspaper. His big breakthrough was Miranda's recording of O que E que a Baiana Tem?/ What does the Bahiana Have? for the film Banana-da-Terra. Miranda went on to be known for her fruit-filled hats and bossa nova got a foothold in North America. Several of his songs honoured his roots in the northern province of Bahia, including Voce Ja foi a Bahia? (Have You Ever Been to Bahia?) and Saudades de Itapoa (Yearning for Itapoa). He often wrote songs about the lives of the working class, such as Promessa de Pescador and Sute dos Pescadores, both about fishermen. He also was known for extolling the beauty of women, in the recording studio and beyond, and was known as a womanizer. Caymmi wrote for Brazilian cinema and was a presence on radio, performing his own songs. There he met Adelaide Tostes, who went by the stage name of Stella Maris, and she became his wife. She survives him, as do their three children, Dori, Danilo and Nana, all of whom had distinguished musical careers. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKMore Music HeadlinesThousands gather to honour Isaac HayesAbout 3,000 friends and fans of Isaac Hayes gathered in Memphis on Monday to pay hommage to the late soul legend, who died suddenly this month.Malaysia scraps Avril Lavigne concert; show slammed as 'too sexy'An Avril Lavigne concert scheduled for later this month in Malaysia has been cancelled amid complaints that the show by the Canadian rock singer is "too sexy."Vietnam releases Gary Glitter from prisonVietnamese authorities freed British glam rocker Gary Glitter on Tuesday after nearly three years in prison on child molestation charges, then moved immediately to deport him.Brazilian bossa nova singer Dorival Caymmi dies at 94Dorival Caymmi, a Brazilian composer and singer known as the "Grandfather of Bossa Nova," has died at age 94.Vancouver entry proves golden at World Pipe Band ChampionshipsA Vancouver band was selected overall best band at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland. More Arts HeadlinesBroadway veteran cast as leading man in Toronto's Sound of MusicThe Toronto production of The Sound of Music has unveiled a huge cast of 51 performers to be led by Elicia Mackenzie in the role of Maria.Thousands gather to honour Isaac HayesAbout 3,000 friends and fans of Isaac Hayes gathered in Memphis on Monday to pay hommage to the late soul legend, who died suddenly this month.Malaysia scraps Avril Lavigne concert; show slammed as 'too sexy'An Avril Lavigne concert scheduled for later this month in Malaysia has been cancelled amid complaints that the show by the Canadian rock singer is "too sexy."Retired lawyer convicted of possessing stolen artworksRetired lawyer Robert Mardirosian is planning to appeal after a Boston jury convicted him of possessing six Impressionist paintings he knew to be stolen 30 years ago.Canadian plays update classical fare in Stratford's 2009 seasonThe Stratford Shakespeare Festival has added contemporary plays by Canadian dramatists to its mix of Elizabethan era and classic works for the 2009 season. Arts FeaturesStringing us alongViolin maverick Eugene Draw smashes genres — and expectationsLo and beholdThe Lolita effect, 50 years after the book's North American debutSummer of lustVicky Cristina Barcelona: Woody Allen's latest is one sticky romanceGrowing up is hard to doMiley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers: more than teen titans?Crazy from the heatDoes the war-movie satire Tropic Thunder go too far?Irony and cynicismRaymond Saint-Pierre on China's provocative art scenePeople who read this also read …
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