Avarese

Origin

Recife, PE

Also known as

Abimael Nascimento Álvares

Years Active

1930s–1970s

Genres

samba, samba-enredo, bolero

Instruments

clarinet

Biography

Abimael Nascimento Álvares, known artistically as Avarese, was a Brazilian songwriter, singer, and clarinetist, born in Recife, Pernambuco, on November 8, 1917. As a boy, he moved with his family to Rio de Janeiro, where he settled in Madureira, a neighborhood that would become a breeding ground for samba musicians and where the young Avarese absorbed the rich Rio musical culture. In the early 1930s, Avarese moved to Viçosa, Minas Gerais, where he studied the clarinet and joined the local band, showing his musical versatility from an early age. Upon returning to Rio de Janeiro, he participated in serenades playing the instrument and, in 1934, enlisted in the Navy, serving in Rio Grande do Norte. There, he organized a sailors' percussion ensemble that achieved great success during carnival.

Back in the capital of Rio de Janeiro, Avarese got involved with carnival street blocks in Madureira and frequented the Prazer da Serrinha samba school. In 1947, he was one of the founders of the Império Serrano Recreation and Cultural Samba School, later joining its Songwriters Wing. It was in the early 1950s that the producer and announcer Paulo Roberto, from Rádio Nacional, nicknamed him Avarese, the name by which he would become known. From then on, he began performing in shows and having his sambas recorded by various artists.

Avarese's work includes sambas and samba-enredos, demonstrating his strong connection with the universe of Rio's carnival. In 1975, he composed the samba-enredo "Záquia Jorge, vedete do subúrbio, estrela de Madureira", which was presented by Império Serrano that year. His song "Para matar saudade" was recorded by Dilza Vieira in 1957. Avarese also collaborated with other songwriters, such as Haroldo Barbosa, with whom he wrote the bolero "Vai-da-valsa" in 1960. His musical output is recognized for its authenticity and contribution to samba and MPB.