Dino Rocha

Origin

Juti, MS

Also known as

Roaldo Rocha

Years active

1959–2019

Genres

sertanejo, chamamé, música regional, mpb

Instruments

accordion, sanfona

Biography

Dino Rocha, born Roaldo Rocha on May 23, 1951, in Juti, Mato Grosso do Sul, was a celebrated Brazilian accordionist, composer, and singer. His musical journey began at a remarkably young age; he turned professional as an accordionist at eight years old and formed his first band, "Los 5 Nativos," at sixteen. His parents were musicians, with his mother being German and his father of Paraguayan descent.

Rocha moved to Campo Grande in 1971 and made his recording debut in 1973 on the LP "Voltei amor" by the duo Amambai and Amambaí. Throughout his career, he released fifteen LPs and five CDs, solidifying his reputation as a prolific artist. He composed over 50 songs, with "Gaivota pantaneira" being a notable collaboration with poet and composer Zacarias Mourão. Rocha also recorded spoken-word pieces, reciting country poems.

His talent was widely recognized, earning him the "Jacaré de Prata" award for Best Instrumentalist in Brazil in 1991. He even appeared in three episodes of the Rede Manchete telenovela "Pantanal" alongside Almir Sater and Sérgio Reis. Rocha founded his own record label, RR Gravação e Produção ME, in 1997. He participated in significant musical projects like "Balaio Brasil" and "Sanfona brasileira," sharing stages with renowned artists such as Dominguinhos, Sivuca, and Hermeto Pascoal. Dino Rocha passed away on February 17, 2019, leaving behind a rich musical legacy deeply rooted in the sounds of the Pantanal region and the chamamé genre.