Beth Carvalho

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Elizabeth Santos Leal de Carvalho, Madrinha do Samba, Madrinha do Pagode, Diva dos Terreiros

Years Active

1965–2019

Genres

samba, pagode, MPB, bossa nova

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo

Biography

Beth Carvalho was a legendary Brazilian singer, songwriter, and musician who became one of the most important figures in the history of samba. Born in Rio de Janeiro, she began her career in the mid-1960s heavily influenced by the Bossa Nova movement and artists like João Gilberto. However, she found her true calling in the traditional samba circles of Rio, eventually earning the title 'Madrinha do Samba' (Godmother of Samba) for her tireless work in discovering and promoting new talent.

Her breakthrough came in 1968 with the song 'Andança,' which won third place at the International Song Festival and remains one of the most beloved classics of Brazilian popular music. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Carvalho became a bridge between the old guard of samba composers—such as Cartola and Nelson Cavaquinho—and the emerging 'pagode' scene centered around the Cacique de Ramos carnival block. She was responsible for launching the careers of icons like Zeca Pagodinho, Arlindo Cruz, and the group Fundo de Quintal.

Beyond her vocal talent, she was a pioneer in instrumentation, introducing the banjo with cavaquinho tuning, the tantã, and the repique de mão into mainstream recordings, which forever changed the sound of modern samba. Despite facing severe spinal health issues in her later years, she continued to perform, famously delivering concerts while lying in a bed. Carvalho was also a deeply political artist, frequently using her platform to support social movements and democratic causes in Brazil until her passing in 2019.

Discography

• Andança (1969)
• Canto por um Novo Dia (1973)
• Prá Seu Govêrno (1974)
• Pandeiro e Viola (1975)
• Mundo Melhor (1976)
• Nos Botequins da Vida (1977)
• De Pé no Chão (1978)
• No Pagode (1979)
• Sentimento Brasileiro (1980)
• Na Fonte (1981)
• Traço de União (1982)
• Suor No Rosto (1983)
• Firme e Forte (1983)
• Coração Feliz (1984)
• Das Bênçãos que Virão com os Novos Amanhãs (1985)
• Beth (1986)
• Ao Vivo (1987)
• Beth Carvalho Ao Vivo em Montreux (1987)
• Alma Do Brasil (1988)
• Saudades da Guanabara (1989)
• Agepê, Fogo Baiano, Beth Carvalho – Disco Promocional MIx (1990)
• Ao Vivo no Olympia (1991)
• Intérprete (1991)
• Pérolas - 25 Anos de Samba (1992)
• Pérolas (1992)
• Canta o Samba de São Paulo (1993)
• Beth Carvalho, Dirceu da Mangueira, Ivo Meirelles, Jurandir da Mangueira e Leci Brandão – Mangueira (1993)
• Viva São Paulo! (Ao Vivo) (1993)
• Ao Vivo no Teatro Alberto Maranhão (1995)
• Brasileira da Gema (1998)
• Pérolas do Pagode (1998)
• Pagode de Mesa (Ao Vivo) (1999)
• Luiz Carlos da Vila, Dona Ivone Lara, Beth Carvalho, Walter Alfaiate, Moacyr Luz & João Nogueira – Pirajá - Esquina Carioca - Uma Noite com a Raiz do Samba Ao Vivo (1999)
• Pagode de Mesa 2 - Ao Vivo (2000)
• Nome Sagrado, Beth Carvalho Canta Nelson Cavaquinho (2001)
• Beth Carvalho Canta Cartola (2003)
• A Madrinha do Samba - Ao Vivo Convida (2004)
• Firme e Forte no Pagode (2004)
• Beth Carvalho e Amigos (2005)
• 40 Anos de Carreira - Ao Vivo no Theatro Municipal Vol. 1 (2006)
• 40 Anos de Carreira - Ao Vivo no Theatro Municipal Vol. 2 (2006)
• Canta o Samba da Bahia (Ao Vivo) (2007)
• Nosso Samba Tá na Rua (2011)
• Ao Vivo no Parque Madureira (2014)
• Beth Carvalho in Montreux (Ao Vivo) (2025)
• Sambabook Beth Carvalho (2025)