Luiz Gonzaga
The “King of Baião,” who brought the accordion-led music of Brazil's northeast to a national audience.
- Years
- 1912–1989
- Country
- Brazil
- Instrument
- Sanfona, voice
Luiz Gonzaga was born in Exu, Pernambuco, and learned the sanfona from his father Januário. After moving to Rio de Janeiro, he played on the radio and brought the rhythms of Brazil's northeast to listeners across the country. His accordion and singing became central to the popularization of baião and forró.
With Humberto Teixeira he wrote Baião (1946) and Asa Branca (1947). The latter evokes drought, departure and longing for home in the sertão. Called the King of Baião, Gonzaga placed northeastern music and the experiences of its people at the center of Brazilian popular culture.
Selected works, recordings and publications
- Baião1946
A song co-written with Humberto Teixeira that helped bring baião to a broad Brazilian audience.
Release / publisherSong · 1946
Publication source - Asa Branca1947
A Gonzaga–Teixeira song about drought and longing for home, released in 1947.
Release / publisherSong · 1947
Publication source
Biography source Ceará Legislative Assembly on Gonzaga's songs