Caju e Castanha

Origin

Jaboatão dos Guararapes, PE

Genres

embolada, repente, folk music, brazilian regional music

Instruments

pandeiro, vocals

Biography

Caju e Castanha is a renowned Brazilian musical duo famous for their traditional embolada and repentista style. Originating from Jaboatão dos Guararapes in Pernambuco, the act was initially formed by the brothers José Albertino da Silva, known as Caju, and José Roberto da Silva, known as Castanha. They began performing as children in local markets and squares, playing homemade tambourines crafted from marmalade cans before establishing themselves as iconic figures of Brazilian folk music.

Moving to São Paulo in the early 1980s, the duo became a prominent part of the city's urban street art movement, performing on buses and eventually recording albums like Embolando na Embolada. Over the decades, they expanded their reach through television, co-hosting the cultural program Som Brasil alongside notable figures such as Rolando Boldrin and Lima Duarte, and collaborating with various contemporary rock and MPB artists, including the group Vivendo do Ócio.

Following the passing of the original Caju in 2001, his nephew Ricardo Alves da Silva joined Castanha, adopting the stage name Caju to carry on the duo's rich musical legacy. Throughout their expansive career, Caju e Castanha have crossed paths with numerous cultural icons, participated in notable documentaries directed by filmmakers like Walter Salles, and earned critical acclaim, including a Latin Grammy nomination for their album Meu Deus Que País É Esse!