Carlos Cachaça

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Carlos Moreira de Castro

Years Active

1920–1999

Genres

samba, samba-enredo

Instruments

pandeiro

Biography

Carlos Cachaça, born Carlos Moreira de Castro in Rio de Janeiro, was a renowned Brazilian composer and one of the principal founders of the famous samba school GRES Estação Primeira de Mangueira. Throughout his life, he authored more than 500 compositions and established a legendary artistic partnership with fellow master Cartola. Growing up in the Mangueira community, he immersed himself in early street carnival blocks and later became a foundational figure in shaping the traditions of Brazilian samba.

Alongside Cartola and other prominent figures, he helped create the Bloco dos Arengueiros in 1925, which directly led to the establishment of the Mangueira samba school. He is historically credited as the first composer to incorporate narrative historical elements into samba-enredo compositions. Although he worked for decades at the Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil until his retirement in 1965, his dedication to samba remained central to his legacy, culminating in his landmark 1976 solo album and enduring classics interpreted by artists like Paulinho da Viola and Beth Carvalho.

Discography

• Clementina de Jesus Convidado Especial: Carlos Cachaça – Convidado Especial: Carlos Cachaça (1975)
• Carlos Cachaça (1976)
• Mestres da MPB (1976)
• Odete Amaral, Cartola, Clementina de Jesus, Nelson Cavaquinho, Carlos Cachaça, Zezinho – Fala Mangueira! (1997)