Altemar Dutra
- Origin
- Aimorés, MG
- Years active
- 1963–1983
- Genres
- MPB, bolero
- Instruments
- vocal, violão
Biography
Altemar Dutra de Oliveira (October 6, 1940 – November 9, 1983) was a Brazilian singer and composer, widely acclaimed as the "king of bolero" in Brazil. Born in Aimorés, Minas Gerais, he moved with his family to Colatina, Espírito Santo, in his early childhood. His mother gifted him a guitar, which sparked his musical journey as he taught himself to play. At 17, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with a letter of introduction to composer Jair Amorim, who helped him navigate the artistic scene. Dutra began his career singing in nightclubs and gained prominence for his romantic ballads, particularly boleros. His first recording was "Tudo de Mim," written by Jair Amorim and Evaldo Gouveia, who became frequent collaborators.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Dutra achieved significant success with hits like "Sentimental Demais," "O Trovador," "Brigas," and "Que Queres Tu de Mim." His popularity extended across Latin America, with his Spanish-language versions selling hundreds of thousands of copies. He even collaborated with Chilean bolero icon Lucho Gatica on the album "El Bolero se Canta Así." Dutra's career spanned until his untimely death in New York City in 1983, at the age of 43, following a performance. His legacy includes numerous albums and a lasting impact on Brazilian romantic music, with his song "Brigas" being recognized among the best of the 20th century by music critics.