Donga

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Ernesto Joaquim Maria dos Santos

Years Active

1904–1969

Genres

samba, choro, MPB

Instruments

guitar, acoustic guitar, cavaquinho

Biography

Ernesto Joaquim Maria dos Santos, widely known as Donga, was a pioneering Brazilian musician, composer, and acoustic guitarist born in Rio de Janeiro in 1890. Growing up in a musically vibrant household with a mother who hosted traditional gatherings, he immersed himself in the rich cultural roots of Rio's early urban music scene. In his youth, he frequented the influential musical circles of Tia Ciata, where he rubbed shoulders with legendary figures such as Pixinguinha, João da Baiana, and Hilário Jovino Ferreira, shaping the foundational sounds of what would become modern samba.

In November 1916, Donga marked his place in musical history by registering the score for "Pelo Telefone" at the National Library, alongside journalist Mauro de Almeida. This iconic track became the first commercially successful recorded samba in Brazil, serving as a vital milestone in the country's recording industry. Throughout his prolific career, he played an integral role in spreading Brazilian music globally, notably co-founding the Orquestra Típica Donga-Pixinguinha and joining the celebrated ensemble Oito Batutas, with whom he toured Europe and Argentina during the 1920s.

Later in life, Donga continued to champion and preserve traditional Brazilian culture, participating in historic recording projects such as the 1940 "Native Brazilian Music" sessions curated with Heitor Villa-Lobos and Leopold Stokowski. His dedication to oral history and musical legacy also led him to record early testimonies for the Museum of Image and Sound of Rio de Janeiro. Passing away in 1974 at the age of 84, Donga left an indelible mark on Brazilian popular culture as a pillar of early samba.