Carlos Negreiros

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Carlos Augusto Negreiros de Ferreira, Betinho

Years active

1970–2022

Genres

samba, mpb, afro-brazilian music, jongo, maracatu, congada, ciranda

Instruments

percussion, atabaque, agogô, tambor de língua, pandeiro, ganzá, rumpi, voz

Biography

Carlos Negreiros was a prominent Brazilian percussionist, singer, composer, and researcher, widely recognized for his profound contributions to Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he dedicated his life to exploring, systematizing, and disseminating the rich musical traditions of African origin within Brazil. His deep understanding of these rhythms led him to develop the concept of "Vozes Percussivas" (Percussive Voices), a method aimed at facilitating the comprehension of Afro-Brazilian polyrhythms. This innovative approach was applied in various musical projects, including the Quarteto Repercussão and the Orquestra de Tambores Robertinho Silva.

Throughout his career, Negreiros was a significant figure in the Brazilian music scene. He served as musical director, singer, and actor for the dance and theater group Olorum Baba Mi, and was the cultural director of the Afoxé Filhos de Ghandi in Rio de Janeiro. His expertise in Afro-Brazilian percussion earned him invitations to lecture, conduct workshops, and give masterclasses in cultural centers and universities across Brazil and internationally, including institutions in Atlanta, Washington, Berlin, and Paris. He was also cited by Nei Lopes in his "Enciclopédia Brasileira da Diáspora Africana" as a key reference for the systematization of Afro-Brazilian percussion.

Negreiros was the last remaining member of the original formation of the Orquestra Afro-Brasileira, founded in 1942. He took over the leadership of the orchestra after the passing of its founder, Maestro Abigail Moura, in 1970. In 2017, he spearheaded the group's return to the stage and the release of their first album in nearly half a century, celebrating the orchestra's 75th anniversary. Carlos Negreiros passed away on July 14, 2022, shortly after a performance at Teatro Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, leaving behind a legacy of invaluable musical knowledge and artistic expression.