Diumbanda

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Zacarias Higino de Jesus Filho

Years active

1987–present

Genres

pagode baiano, samba, axé music

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Zacarias Higino de Jesus Filho, widely known as Diumbanda, is a prominent Brazilian singer and composer, born in Salvador, Bahia, in 1964. He is a key figure in the pagode baiano genre, a vibrant subgenre of pagode music that emerged in Bahia. Diumbanda began his musical journey in the late 1980s, performing samba in Salvador. His distinctive vocal style and performance approach became characteristic of the pagode baiano sound, influencing many other artists.

Diumbanda's career gained significant traction when he became the first vocalist for the group Gera Samba in the early 1990s. After his departure from Gera Samba, he went on to form Companhia do Pagode, a group that achieved massive popularity in the mid-1990s, particularly with their hit song "Na Boquinha da Garrafa." This song became a national phenomenon, selling millions of records and solidifying Diumbanda's status as a major artist in Brazilian music. During this period, he temporarily left his career as a military police officer to fully dedicate himself to music.

Throughout his career, Diumbanda has been associated with various influential groups and projects, including Terra Samba and Bokinha da Garrafa. He has also been recognized for his role in promoting Bahian music, notably through the "Galo do Diumbanda" event, which brings together renowned artists from the samba and axé scenes. In recent years, Diumbanda has continued to be active in the music scene, participating in new releases and performances, often collaborating with artists like Negão Jamaica, his long-time musical partner.