Aracy Cortes

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Araci Cortes

Years Active

1923–1951

Genres

samba-canção, samba-exaltação, música popular brasileira

Instruments

vocal, voice

Biography

Aracy Cortes, whose birth name was Zilda de Carvalho Espíndola, was born in the city of Rio de Janeiro on March 31, 1904. Raised in the Estácio neighborhood and later in Catumbi, her childhood neighbor was the talented flutist Pixinguinha, who would later found the famous group Oito batutas. With a soprano timbre and a highly personal interpretation, she began her artistic career on her own initiative in various theaters across Rio, standing out at a time when the artistic environment was dominated almost exclusively by male voices.

National recognition came in the 1920s with striking hits such as the song "Que Pedaço", by Sena Pinto, and later the classic "Jura", composed by Sinhô. Throughout her career, Aracy established herself as a great promoter of Brazilian music by launching hitherto unknown composers, such as Ary Barroso and Assis Valente, in addition to being responsible for the first performance of the historic song "Aquarela do Brasil". Her strong connection to revue theater and her contribution to the samba-canção genre consecrated her as the country's first great popular female singer, paving the way for future generations of interpreters.

Throughout her career, the artist influenced and engaged with various generations of national music, anticipating aesthetics that would later find echoes in movements such as bossa nova. Aracy passed away in her hometown on January 8, 1985, leaving an indelible legacy in Brazilian culture. Her work remains alive in the memory of popular music, serving as a reference to understand the evolution of samba and romantic song in Brazil, alongside fundamental names like Francisco Alves and Maysa Matarazzo.

Discography

• Aracy Côrtes - Clementina de Jesus – Rosa de Ouro (1965)
• Aracy Côrtes - Clementina de Jesus – Rosa de Ouro Volume 2 (1967)
• Flor do lodo (1930 - 1954) (2017)
• Chora violão (1929 - 1931) (2017)