Alberto Lonato

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Alberto Lonato da Silva

Years active

1941–1994

Genres

samba

Instruments

pandeiro

Biography

Alberto Lonato da Silva, known as Alberto Lonato, was a Brazilian composer, instrumentalist, and singer, born in Rio de Janeiro on November 8, 1909, and passed away in the same city on January 18, 1998. He grew up in the Rio de Janeiro suburb of Sapê (now Rocha Miranda) and frequented the samba scene from an early age, having contact with samba musicians from Mangueira, Morro da Favela, and Largo do Estácio. His childhood home, frequented by the mãe-de-santo Madalena Rica, was a meeting point for important names in samba and served as the venue for the first meetings to found Portela.

Lonato, who also worked as a furniture polisher, learned to play the tambourine by observing other percussionists. His connection with Portela was consolidated in 1941, when he joined the samba school and became part of the Composers' Wing. Throughout his career, he composed sambas that became classics, such as "Sofrimento de quem ama", "Não pode ser verdade", "Esqueça", and "Peixe com coco", the latter in partnership with Josias and Maceió do Cavaco. His compositions were recorded by renowned artists such as Clara Nunes and Paulinho da Viola.

He actively participated in the Velha Guarda da Portela until 1994, the year he suffered a stroke, but even with the limitations, he continued to be present at the school's parades. Alberto Lonato left an important legacy for Brazilian samba, being remembered as one of the initiators of "velho samba de terreiro" and a guardian of Rio's tradition. His work continues to be celebrated and interpreted, keeping alive the memory of one of the great names in Brazilian popular music.