Benito di Paula

Origin

Nova Friburgo, RJ

Also known as

Benito de Paula

Years Active

1956

Genres

samba, MPB

Instruments

piano, vocals

Biography

Benito di Paula, born Uday Vellozo in Nova Friburgo, is a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, and pianist who became a defining symbol of "Samba Paulista." Growing up in a musical, humble family, he learned various instruments from his father before moving to Rio de Janeiro as a young man to perform in nightclubs and hotels. His career gained immense momentum after relocating to São Paulo, where his distinctive blend of samba achieved massive commercial success throughout the 1970s and 1980s, eventually selling tens of millions of records worldwide and touring internationally.

Throughout his prolific career, Benito penned timeless hits such as "Charlie Brown," "Retalhos de Cetim," and "Do jeito que a vida quer," which cemented his legacy in Brazilian popular music. His distinct musical style has been embraced and reinterpreted by numerous artists across generations, including notable collaborations and covers by icons like Alcione, Beth Carvalho, and Roberto Carlos. Despite shifting musical trends and changing record labels over the decades, he maintained a loyal following and continued to record and perform, often collaborating with his son Rodrigo.

In later years, Benito di Paula remained an influential figure in the Brazilian music scene, celebrated through tribute projects and live performances that showcased his enduring repertoire. His contributions to samba and MPB earned him a permanent place in the cultural history of Brazil. Even as the media landscape shifted, his classic compositions continued to resonate on radio stations and streaming platforms, inspiring new waves of pagode and samba artists.

Discography

• Benito Di Paula (1971)
• Ela (1972)
• Gravado Ao Vivo (1974)
• Brasil Som 75 (1974)
• Um Novo Samba (1974)
• Benito Di Paula (1975)
• Benito Di Paula (1976)
• Supersamba (1976)
• Benito Di Paula (1977)
• Benito Di Paula (1978)
• Caprichos de La Vida (1978)
• Benito Di Paula (1979)
• Benito Di Paula (1980)
• Benito Di Paula (1981)
• 2 É demais! (1981)
• Bom Mesmo É o Brasil (1983)
• "Que Brote Enfim o Rouxinol que Existe em Mim" (1984)
• Nação (1985)
• Nova República (1985)
• Benito Di Paula Instrumental (1986)
• Benito Di Paula (1987)
• Fazendo Paixão (1990)
• A Vida Me Faz Viver (1992) (1992)
• Pode Acreditar (1994)
• Baileiro (1996)
• Preferencia Nacional (1998)
• Ao Vivo (2009)
• Faixa a Faixa: Benito Di Paula Ao Vivo (2009)
• Essa Felicidade É Nossa (2017)
• Maria Baiana Maria