Durval Lelys

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Durval Lelis Tavares

Years Active

1982

Genres

axé, MPB

Instruments

guitar, vocals, multi-instrumentalist

Biography

Durval Lelys, born Durval Lelis Tavares in Salvador, is a prominent Brazilian singer, songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist in national music. He began his musical studies in his youth at the School of Music of the Federal University of Bahia, where he also graduated in architecture before consolidating his artistic career. In the 1980s, he founded Banda Pinel, where he initially worked as a guitarist before taking over the vocals after the departure of Ricardo Chaves.

In 1988, he took a decisive step in his career by founding Asa de Águia alongside Marcelo Brasileiro, transforming the group into one of the main forces of axé music in the country. In addition to his musical contribution and memorable compositions, such as "Quebra Aê", Durval also stood out in the carnival scene by co-creating the abadá in 1994, replacing the traditional shroud at the Salvador Carnival. Throughout his career, he integrated theatrical performances with several striking characters and accumulated widespread popular recognition and copyright acclaim through ECAD.

His influence in the Bahian revelry and out-of-season carnivals placed him alongside major names of the genre, such as Bell Marques and Tonho Matéria. Maintaining a long-lasting career marked by innovation on electric trios, Durval Lelys remains one of the most emblematic figures in the recent history of Bahian music and Brazilian carnival culture.

Discography

• Na Praia ao Vivo em Brasília (2016)
• Durval Lelys (2016)
• Mil Sorrisos (2017)
• Sol e Praia (2018)
• Cantaí no Groove (2018)
• Durval Lelys ao Vivo (2018)
• Macaco Sessions: Durval Lelys (Ao Vivo) (2019)
• Arraiá D'ajuda (2020)
• Tô Free (2021)
• Arraiá D'Ajuda, Vol. 2 (2021)
• Eternamente Asa (Ao Vivo) (2023)