Alcione

Origin

São Luís, MA

Years Active

1960s

Genres

samba, MPB, bolero

Instruments

vocals, trumpet, clarinet

Biography

Alcione Dias Nazareth, widely known as "Marrom" and revered as the "Dama do Samba," is one of Brazil's most iconic and enduring musical figures. Born in São Luís, Maranhão, she grew up immersed in music thanks to her father, a military police bandmaster who taught her how to play the trumpet and clarinet at a young age. After launching her professional career in her teens and performing internationally in Europe and Latin America, she permanently relocated to Rio de Janeiro in 1967, where she quickly established herself as a powerhouse vocalist in the vibrant nightlife of Copacabana's Beco das Garrafas.

Over a career spanning decades, Alcione has released dozens of acclaimed studio and live albums, cementing her status as a titan of samba and MPB. Her deep, rich voice and charismatic stage presence earned her legendary status, as well as close ties to traditional samba institutions like the Estação Primeira de Mangueira, where she serves as honorary president of the youth school Mangueira do Amanhã. Alongside her musical achievements, she has collaborated with and been influenced by various pillars of Brazilian culture, sharing a profound connection with fellow artists such as Chico Xavier, whose literature inspired her birth name, and drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of bumba-meu-boi and classic samba repertoire.

Despite facing personal health challenges, including a vocal cord scare that threatened to end her career, Alcione's resilience and dedication have kept her at the forefront of Brazilian music. Her numerous accolades include Latin Grammy recognition and multiple trophies celebrating her immense contributions to national culture. Today, she remains an active cultural ambassador, celebrated in massive carnival tributes and continuing to captivate audiences with her inimitable vocal delivery and passionate advocacy for Brazilian samba.

Discography

• Morte de um Poeta (1976)
• Pra que Chorar (1977)
• Alerta Geral (1978)
• Sabiá Marrom - O Samba Raro de Alcione (1978)
• Gostoso Veneno (1979)
• E Vamos à Luta (1980)
• Alcione (1981)
• Vamos Arrepiar (1982)
• 10 Anos Depois (1982)
• Almas & Coracões (1983)
• Ouro e Cobre (1984)
• Da Cor do Brasil (1984)
• Fogo da Vida (1985)
• Fruto e Raiz (1986)
• Nosso Nome Resistência (1987)
• Emoções Reais (1990)
• Promessa (1991)
• Pulsa Coração (1992)
• Brasil de Oliveira da Silva do Samba (1994)
• Profissão Cantora (1995)
• Tempo de Guarnice (1996)
• Valeu! (1997)
• Celebração (1998)
• Nos Bares da Vida - Ao Vivo (2000)
• A Paixão Tem Memória (2001)
• Simplesmente Marron (2002)
• Ao vivo (2002)
• Ao vivo 2 (2003)
• O Pagode da Marrom (2004)
• Faz uma loucura por mim (2004)
• Uma nova paixão (2005)
• Faz uma loucura por mim (Ao vivo) (2005)
• Uma nova paixão (Ao vivo) (2006)
• De tudo que eu gosto (Redux) (2007)
• Acesa (2009)
• Acesa ao vivo em São Luís do Maranhão (2010)
• Duas Faces (ao Vivo na Mangueira) [Ao Vivo] (2011)
• Duas Faces (Jam Session) (2012)
• Eterna Alegria (2013)
• Eterna Alegria (Ao Vivo) (2014)
• Ao Vivo em Grandes Encontros (2015)
• 5 em 1 (2016)
• Boleros Ao Vivo (2017)
• Tijolo por Tijolo (2020)
• Alcione 50 Anos (Ao Vivo) (2023)