Chico Lobo

Origin

São João Del Rei, MG

Also known as

Francisco Lobo, Francisco Antônio Lobo Leite

Years Active

1980s

Genres

brazilian regional music, caipira music, MPB

Instruments

viola caipira

Biography

Chico Lobo, whose real name is Francisco Antônio Lobo Leite, was born in São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, on February 26, 1964. The son of a seresteiro and folklorist, Chico Lobo inherited from his father a passion for music and Brazilian popular culture, which would become the core of his artistic career. Since his adolescence, enchanted by the sound of the viola caipira, he dedicated himself to the instrument, becoming a renowned violeiro, composer, and singer.

His musical journey is marked by a deep connection to his roots in Minas Gerais and Brazil. Chico Lobo is recognized for his ability to navigate traditional rhythms such as folias, congados, catiras, and modas de viola, always with an approach that blends tradition with contemporaneity. His work is an invitation to the preservation and appreciation of caipira culture, and he has been an active promoter of this legacy through concerts, recordings, and educational projects.

Throughout his career, Chico Lobo has established himself as one of Brazil's most important violeiros, with performances in several countries and a discography that includes more than 20 CDs and 2 DVDs. He also stands out for his work as a radio and TV show host, columnist, and writer, as well as the creator of social projects focused on teaching the viola caipira. His dedication to Brazilian music and culture has made him an essential figure in the preservation and dissemination of the country's musical heritage.

Discography

• Reinado (2000)
• Viola Caipira - Tradição, Causos e Crenças (2002)
• Viola Popular Brasileira Gravado Ao Vivo em São João Del Rei (2005)
• Pedro Mestre, Chico Lobo – Encontro de Violas: Viola Campaniça, Viola Caipira (2007)
• Palmeira Seca (2011)
• Chico Lobo, Marcio Malard, Paulo Sérgio Santos – 3 Brasis (2014)
• Folias de um Natal Brasileiro (2014)
• Caipira do Mundo (2014)
• Cantigas de Violeiro (2015)
• Viola de Mutirão - Do Sertão ao Mundo (2016)
• Louvação (2017)
• Chico Lobo & Zé Alexandre – Tempo de Paz (2018)
• Sagração (2019)
• Alma e Coração (2020)
• O Tempo É Seu Irmão (2022)
• Vertentes (2022)
• Chico Lobo 60 Anos (2023)
• Chico Lobo e Banda Ao Vivo na Estrada (2024)
• Sertão (2025)
• Chico Lobo, Déa Trancoso – O Violeiro e a Cantora
• No Braço Dessa Viola