Déo Maia

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years Active

1935–1955

Genres

teatro de revista, samba, choro, batucada, marchinha

Biography

Déo Maia, born in São Paulo around 1915, was a notable Brazilian singer, actress, and revue theater vedette. Her career took off around 1935 when she was discovered by producer Jardel Jércolis, who brought her to Rio de Janeiro. Her debut on the Rio stage took place in 1936, in the revue "Maravilhosa", where she performed the choro "Quem é?", by Custódio Mesquita and Joracy Camargo, which would become a hit in the voice of Carmen Miranda. In the same revue, Déo Maia achieved great prominence by launching, in a duet with Grande Otelo, the batucada "No tabuleiro da baiana", by Ary Barroso, a song that, despite having already been recorded by Carmen Miranda, gained new popularity through the duo's interpretation.

Over the following years, Déo Maia consolidated her career in revue theater, performing in various productions and even on tours in Argentina and Chile, contracted by Jardel Jércolis's Revue Company. In 1939, she acted in the operetta "Mestiça" alongside Grande Otelo, where they sang the samba "Rosinha e Tico-Tico", by Ary Barroso. Her striking stage presence also led her to perform multiple times at Cassino da Urca and to participate in the film "Astros em desfile" in 1942, acting alongside names such as Grande Otelo, Emilinha Borba, and Luiz Gonzaga.

Although her career in revue theater was successful since the 1930s, Déo Maia only made her first record recording in 1953. On that occasion, she released, in a duet with Pimentinha, the choro "Vou à Paris" and the samba "Dengo", both by Vicente Paiva and Luiz Peixoto, and Ary Barroso, respectively. In the same year, she participated in the show "Esta vida é um carnaval". In 1954, she released a second record with sambas like "Carlota" and "Nois precisemo", in addition to recording "Beira mar" and "Não tenho ambição". Her artistic trajectory, marked by versatility and talent, left her contribution to Brazilian popular music, especially in the universe of musical revues.