Alaíde Costa

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1955

Genres

bossa nova, MPB, samba-canção

Instruments

vocals, piano

Biography

Alaíde Costa is a renowned Brazilian singer and songwriter who emerged as a pioneer of Bossa Nova and a distinguished stylist of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). Born in Rio de Janeiro, she began her professional career in 1955, quickly establishing herself in the carioca nightlife and recording her first works in the mid-1950s. Known for her smooth voice, flawless intonation, and sophisticated repertoire, she collaborated with legendary figures such as Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, and Johnny Alf, while also participating in milestone projects like the legendary Clube da Esquina alongside Milton Nascimento.

Throughout her career spanning over six decades, Alaíde navigated both artistic triumphs and systemic challenges, including the subtle racial prejudices present in the early Bossa Nova movement and the music industry at large. Despite these hurdles, she remained a revered figure among musicians and critics alike, known for her deeply expressive delivery of romantic and slow-tempo ballads. Her contributions extend beyond singing and composing; she has also worked as an actress, winning awards in cinema, and has been recognized as a trailblazer for Black women in popular Brazilian music.

In recent years, Alaíde has experienced a profound resurgence in her career, releasing critically acclaimed albums and collaborating with contemporary artists such as Emicida, Toninho Horta, and José Miguel Wisnik. Her later works, including albums like O Que Meus Calos Dizem Sobre Mim and Harmonias Que Soam e Ressoam, have cemented her legacy as an enduring icon of Brazilian music, receiving top honors from critics and contemporary audiences alike.

Discography

• Gosto de Você (1959)
• Canta Suavemente (1960)
• Alaide Canta Suavemente (1960)
• Jóia Moderna (1961)
• Afinal... (1963)
• Alaide Costa (1965)
• Alaide Costa & Oscar Castro Neves (1973)
• Coração (1976)
• Canta Herminio Bello de Carvalho - Águas Vivas (1982)
• Alaíde Costa, Zezé Gonzaga, Zéluiz – Sidney Miller (1982)
• Amiga de Verdade (1988)
• Anos 70 (1993)
• Anos 80 | 90 | 00 (1993)
• Os Primeiros Anos (1993)
• Alaide Costa & João Carlos Assis Brasil – Onde Está Você (1995)
• Alaíde Costa & João Carlos Assis Brasil (1995)
• Falando de Amor (1998)
• Rasguei A Minha Fantasia (2001)
• Bossa Nova Legends (2004)
• Tudo que o Tempo Me Deixou (2005)
• Águas Vivas - Alaíde Costa Canta Hermínio Bello de Carvalho (2005)
• Alaide Costa, João Carlos Assis Brasil – Voz & Piano (2006)
• Canta Milton - Amor Amigo (2008)
• Alaide Costa, Célia (2), Cida Moreira, Fabiana Cozza, Milena – Elas Cantam Paulinho da Viola (2009)
• Alaíde Canta Johnny (Em Tom de Canção) (2011)
• Alaide Costa, Fátima Guedes – Ao Vivo (2011)
• Bossa Nova Classics (2011)
• Canções de Alaíde (2014)
• Alaíde Costa e Toninho Horta – Alegria É Guardada em Cofres, Catedrais (2015)
• Rasguei Minha Fantasia (2017)
• Claudette Soares & Alaide Costa – 60 Anos de Bossa Nova (2018)
• A Dama da Canção (2018)
• Alaíde Costa Canta José Miguel Wisnik – O Anel (2020)
• Antes e Depois (2021)
• Alaíde Costa Canta Eduardo Santhana – Canções de Amores Paulistas (2021)
• O que Meus Calos Dizem Sobre Mim (2022)
• Harmonias que Soam e Ressoam (2023)
• E o Tempo Agora Quer Voar (2024)
• Pérolas Negras (2024)
• Uma Estrela para Dalva (2025)