Chuca Chuca

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Chepsel Lerner

Years Active

1940s–1960s

Genres

brazilian jazz, lounge, instrumental

Instruments

piano, vibraphone

Biography

Chepsel Lerner, known professionally as Chuca Chuca, was a Brazilian instrumentalist and composer born in São Paulo on August 26, 1915. He specialized in piano and vibraphone, establishing a notable career in Rio de Janeiro's radio and nightclub scene from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Lerner began his professional journey after moving to Niterói, where he performed on radio shows and accompanied prominent musicians. He was also a member of the ensemble "Os Milionários do Ritmo," which achieved success in casino circuits, including a decade-long engagement at the Hotel Quitandinha. Following the prohibition of gambling in 1946, Chuca Chuca relocated to Rio de Janeiro, focusing his talents on performances in nightclubs and private events, and also appearing at the Cassino Estoril.

His career extended to iconic venues like Beco das Garrafas and a ten-year tenure at the Clube Ginástico Português. Chuca Chuca's musical contributions also touched the film industry, with appearances in "E o Mundo se Diverte" (1948), "Um Beijo Roubado" (1950), and "Eu Sou o Tal" (1959). He passed away in Rio de Janeiro in 2001.