Claudionor Cruz

Origin

Paraibuna, SP

Years active

1930s–1970s

Genres

samba, choro, marcha, samba canção, valsa

Instruments

cavaquinho, violão, violão tenor, bateria, clarinete, percussão

Biography

Claudionor José da Cruz (April 1, 1910 – June 21, 1995) was a Brazilian composer, guitarist, and cavaquinho player. Born in Paraibuna, São Paulo, Cruz came from a musical family, with his father being a bandmaster and many of his 21 siblings also involved in music. He began his musical journey playing percussion in his father's band before transitioning to cavaquinho and eventually the guitar, with the tenor guitar becoming his primary instrument.

Cruz's professional career took off in the 1930s in Rio de Janeiro, where he formed his renowned ensemble, "Claudionor Cruz e seu Regional." This group became a fixture on major radio stations like Tupi, Nacional, Globo, and Mundial, and later on television channels such as TV Rio and TV Educativa. For nearly three decades, his regional ensemble was a prominent force in Brazilian music, often rivaling the ensemble of Benedito Lacerda for the attention of leading musicians and singers. His group's unique sound, notably without a cavaquinho, made it easily recognizable.

Throughout his extensive career, Claudionor Cruz was a prolific composer, with his most frequent collaborator being Pedro Caetano, with whom he penned over 300 songs. His compositions, including hits like "Tocador de Violão," "Caprichos do Destino," and "Sei que é Covardia," were recorded by many of Brazil's most celebrated artists, such as Orlando Silva, Francisco Alves, and Dircinha Batista. Cruz's legacy extends beyond his compositions and performances; he was a significant figure in the studio, contributing to over 400 recordings and leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Brazilian popular music.