Candinho

Origin

Lambari, MG

Also known as

José Cândido de Mello Mattos Sobrinho

Genres

mpb, bossa nova

Instruments

guitar

Biography

Candinho, born José Cândido de Mello Mattos Sobrinho in Lambari, Minas Gerais, was a Brazilian composer, classical guitarist, and lawyer. His professional career began in 1955 as a guitarist in the musical Gente Bem e Campanhota at the Follies theater in Rio de Janeiro, where he performed alongside singer Sylvinha Telles. Following their marriage in 1956, the couple hosted the television program Música e Romance on TV Rio, featuring notable musical figures such as Dolores Duran and Tom Jobim. His early success included writing compositions recorded by Sylvinha, such as Amendoim Torradinho and Desejo, which led to a contract with Rádio Mayrink Veiga where he performed with his Trio Penumbra alongside Luiz Eça and Jambeiro.

Although he later pursued a solo career with performances across clubs, theaters, and television programs, Candinho eventually transitioned away from professional musicianship after earning his law degree in 1959. He balanced his legal career working as a legal assistant for the Union in the Ministry of Agriculture while continuing to compose music, later participating in the Festival Internacional da Canção with partnerships alongside Lula Freire. His musical legacy remains intertwined with the golden era of Brazilian popular music and bossa nova figures like Tom Jobim and Sylvinha Telles.