Fernando Brant

Origin

Caldas, MG

Also known as

Fernando Rocha Brant

Years Active

1966–2015

Genres

MPB, clube da esquina

Biography

Fernando Brant was one of the most significant lyricists in the history of Brazilian music, particularly associated with the "Clube da Esquina" movement in Minas Gerais. Born in Caldas and raised in Belo Horizonte, he began his career as a journalist and law student before his friend Milton Nascimento encouraged him to write lyrics. Their first collaboration, "Travessia," became a landmark in MPB after winning second place at the 1967 International Song Festival, launching a partnership that would produce over 200 songs.

His writing often captured the essence of the Minas Gerais landscape, urban nostalgia, and profound themes of friendship and social change. Brant’s lyrics gave voice to some of the most celebrated melodies by artists such as Lô Borges, Wagner Tiso, and Tavinho Moura. Some of his most enduring works include "Maria, Maria," "Canção da América," and "Paisagem da Janela," which remain staples of the Brazilian cultural identity.

Beyond his creative contributions, Brant was a dedicated advocate for the rights of music creators. He served as the president of the Brazilian Union of Composers (UBC) for several decades, fighting for fair copyright laws and better conditions for musicians. His death in 2015 was widely mourned across Brazil, marked by tributes from fellow artists and fans who considered him the poet of the Minas Gerais musical soul.

Discography

• 25 anos de travessia (1992)
• Tavinho Moura, Fernando Brant – Conspiraçao dos Poetas (1997)
• Heikki Sarmanto, Claudya de Oliveira, Fernando Brant & Juarez Moreira – Horizons - A Luana Luara (2003)
• Fernando Brant e Tavinho Moura – Fogueira do Divino (2005)
• Amaranto • Fernando Brant • Geraldo Vianna – 3 Estações Caymmi (2009)
• Vendedor de Sonhos (2019)
• Quem Perguntou por Mim (2019)
• Diamantina (2022)