Aurélio Gomes

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1933

Genres

samba

Biography

Aurélio Gomes was a Brazilian singer and composer, recognized for his contributions to early samba music. He was one of the founders of the "Deixa Falar" samba school in the Estácio de Sá neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, an institution pivotal in the development of samba schools as we know them today. His talent as a singer was noted by fellow composer Ismael Silva, who described him as an excellent vocalist.

Gomes' most enduring legacy is his composition "Arrasta a Sandália," co-written with Baiaco (Osvaldo Vasques). This song became a significant hit for the renowned samba singer Moreira da Silva in 1933, marking an important moment in both artists' careers and in the popularization of samba music. The song's success helped establish Moreira da Silva's career at a time when he was not yet widely known.

Although specific details about his later life and career are scarce, Aurélio Gomes' role as a founder of a foundational samba school and as a composer of a classic samba tune solidifies his place in the history of Brazilian popular music. His work is often associated with the golden age of samba and the vibrant cultural scene of Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century.