Abdias dos Oito Baixos

Origin

Taperoá, PB

Also known as

José Abdias de Farias

Years Active

1940–1991

Genres

forró, baião, MPB

Instruments

accordion, eight-bass accordion

Biography

Abdias dos Oito Baixos, born José Abdias de Farias in Taperoá, Paraíba, was a renowned Brazilian accordionist, composer, and musical producer. He began playing the eight-bass accordion at a very young age, learning the traditional instrument from his father and eventually escaping poverty by traveling through the Brazilian Northeast. His exceptional musical talent led him to work in radio stations in Alagoas, where he succeeded Hermeto Paschoal as the head of the regional ensemble and earned the nickname "O Mago do D."

Alongside his first wife, the iconic singer Marinês, he formed the duo Casal da Alegria and later joined the legendary entourage of Luiz Gonzaga, solidifying his place in the history of forró and baião. As a visionary artistic director and producer for major labels like CBS, Abdias played a pivotal role in launching and recording numerous Northeastern artists, shaping the landscape of Brazilian popular music and working with greats such as Jackson do Pandeiro, Gilberto Gil, and Ney Matogrosso.

His enduring legacy encompasses not only his masterful mastery of the eight-bass accordion and classic recordings like Sai do Sereno, but also his mentorship of younger musicians, including his son, maestro Marcos Farias. Abdias passed away in Rio de Janeiro in 1991, leaving behind an indelible mark on the traditions of forró and regional Brazilian music.