Cartola, a Brazilian musician, poet, and performer who became renowned all throughout the nation as a master of samba, is honoured in today’s fairytale Doodle. He was given the name Angenor de Oliveira at birth on this date in Rio de Janeiro in 1908.
Cartola developed a passion for music while growing up; he observed his father playing the guitar and cavaquinho (a Brazilian ukulele), revelled in samba at Carnival, and eventually acquired to play his father’s instruments. He had to start working at an early age to support his family; he worked as a painter, mason, bricklayer, and construction worker. Because he wore a bowler hat to prevent cement from getting into his hair, this is how he earned the moniker “Cartola.”
Cartola first met Carlos Cachaça in Morro da Mangueira, where they both developed a lifelong friendship and career in music. By the age of 17, Cartola was writing sambas and performing in local taverns. In 1928, a few more musicians joined the pair in establishing the Estaço Primeira de Mangueira, one of Rio’s first samba schools, where Cartola served as the harmony director. Great singers sang his sambas, and he also taught music. Divina Dama, a famous song in 1932, helped him become more well-known. Cartola used his well-known songs No Quero Mais, Sim, and O Sol Nascerá to highlight the poetic language and emotion of samba on the radio programme A Voz do Morro, at Carnival, and in his music.
Before meeting his future wife Zica, who inspired him to pick up his love once more, he took a brief vacation from music. Together, they managed Zicartola, a samba house and restaurant that served as a gathering place for musicians and dancers. She was a well-known cook.
It wasn’t until 1974 that Cartola released his own LP, but it was an immediate hit that received both praise from critics and awards. Soon after, three more LPs were released, one of which, the outstanding As Rosas No Falam, was chosen as the music for a soap opera. At the age of 70, the sambista performed and composed for the first time as an individual. His pieces are being performed and recorded by musicians today, preserving his legacy.
Happy birthday, Cartola!
