Candido Canela

Origin

Montes Claros, MG

Also known as

Cândido Simões Canela, Espiridião Santa Cruz, Chico Pitomba

Years Active

1930s–1990s

Genres

sertanejo, música popular brasileira, trova

Biography

Candido Simões Canela, known by his pseudonym Espiridião Santa Cruz, was a multifaceted Brazilian artist born in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, on August 22, 1910. He was a poet, troubadour, cordelista, composer of popular Brazilian music, journalist, radio host, and editor. Canela's work often delved into the rich tapestry of Brazilian popular culture, earning him recognition as a genuine "singer of the streets." His literary and musical contributions were significant, with his poems and songs often reflecting the life and traditions of the Brazilian countryside.

Canela's career spanned several decades, beginning in the 1930s. He was a versatile communicator, working as a journalist for publications like Gazeta do Norte and Jornal Montes Claros. In the 1940s, he edited the humorous newspaper O Gangorra, and in the 1950s, he hosted the radio program Alma Cabocla. During this period, he also formed a duo called Chico Pitomba and Mané Juca with Antônio Rodrigues. His poetic style was praised by figures like Téo Azevedo, who considered him one of Brazil's greatest poets, often comparing him to Catulo da Paixão Cearense.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Candido Canela also had a career in public service, serving as a notary for nearly 50 years and as a city councilor in Montes Claros for two terms. He was a member of the Academia Montesclarense de Letras. His musical compositions, such as "Saracurinha Três Pontes," were recorded by renowned artists like Tonico e Tinoco and Pena Branca e Xavantinho. In 1978, he won the First Brazilian Sertaneja Music Festival with the song "Ternos pingos da saudade," a collaboration with Téo Azevedo. Candido Canela passed away on March 7, 1993, leaving behind a legacy as a significant contributor to Brazilian popular culture and music.