Alcides Caminha

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Alcides de Aguiar Caminha, Carlos Zéfiro, Alcides Aguiar Caminha, Alcides Aguiar Caminha Filho

Years Active

1950–1970

Genres

samba, MPB

Instruments

acoustic guitar

Biography

Alcides de Aguiar Caminha, better known by the pseudonym Carlos Zéfiro, was a multifaceted Brazilian artist, born in Rio de Janeiro on September 26, 1921. Although he had a career as a civil servant, his fame stems from his work as a cartoonist of erotic comic books, popularly known as "catecismos" (catechisms), and also as a samba composer.

As a composer, Caminha was affiliated with the Brazilian Union of Composers (UBC) and made his debut in 1957. His partnerships with renowned samba artists such as Nelson Cavaquinho and Guilherme de Brito resulted in notable songs, such as "A flor e o espinho", "Capital do samba" and "Notícia". "A flor e o espinho", in particular, was recorded by various MPB interpreters, including Elizeth Cardoso, Leny Andrade, Beth Carvalho, and later honored by Marisa Monte on her album "Cor de Rosa e Carvão".

Alcides Caminha's identity as the popular Carlos Zéfiro remained a secret for decades, being revealed to the public only in 1991, through an article in Playboy Magazine. This duality between the discreet civil servant and the erotic comic book artist who marked generations of young Brazilians brought him posthumous recognition, with tributes such as the Carlos Zéfiro Cultural Tent in Rio de Janeiro, and the publication of biographies about his life and work.