Bidu Reis

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Edila Luísa Reis, Edila Luíza Ferreira dos Santos Reis

Years Active

1928–2003

Genres

samba, baião, marcha, bolero, samba-canção

Instruments

piano

Biography

Edila Luísa Reis, known artistically as Bidu Reis, was born in Rio de Janeiro on March 5, 1920. She demonstrated a talent for music from an early age, debuting as a singer at age eight in Nova Iguaçu. Her artistic career spanned decades, encompassing various facets as a singer, composer, pianist, poet, and radio actress.

In 1942, Bidu Reis was one of the founders of the group As Três Marias, formed at Rádio Nacional. With the group, she recorded her first record accompanying Linda Batista and participated in the film "É Proibido Sonhar". After leaving the group in 1945, Bidu pursued a solo career, singing on Rádio Globo and joining Orquestra Tabajara. She recorded solo albums and had compositions interpreted by renowned artists such as Os Cariocas and Nora Ney, with "Bar da noite", in partnership with Haroldo Barbosa, being one of her biggest hits.

In addition to her musical career, Bidu Reis also dedicated herself to literature, publishing the children's book "A inteligência dos animais". She acted on several associative fronts related to music and copyright, and remained active until her final years of life. Bidu Reis passed away in Rio de Janeiro on June 26, 2011, leaving an important legacy in Brazilian popular music.