Emerson Leal

Origin

Salvador, BA

Genres

MPB, brazilian popular music

Instruments

acoustic guitar, vocals, guitar

Biography

Emerson Mariano Ribeiro Leal is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, lyricist, acoustic guitarist, arranger, music producer, and social scientist who has emerged as a prominent figure in contemporary MPB. Self-taught, he began playing the acoustic guitar by ear at the age of nine and later studied Social Sciences at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), where he founded the band Oda Mae Brown before relocating to Rio de Janeiro in 2008 to expand his musical horizons. His exceptional ear and precise harmonic execution earned public praise from legendary figures such as Chico Buarque, whom Leal famously covered online immediately following new releases.

Throughout his career, Leal has released acclaimed works including his self-titled debut album in 2012, featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Tom Zé and Luiz Tatit. His subsequent projects include the 2016 album Cortejo, the formation of the group Três Quartos alongside Julia Bosco and Gustavo Macacko, and the 2022 single "Um Samba Inacabado," which featured a special guest appearance by his lifelong musical idol, João Bosco. Blending sophisticated harmonies with rich lyrical traditions, Emerson Leal continues to be a vital voice in modern Brazilian popular music.

Discography

• Emerson Leal (2012)
• 10th Anniversary Edition (2012)
• Futuro é uma Moda que Passou (Ao Vivo - 2013/14) (2023)
• Cortejo