Francis Hime

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Francis Victor Walter Hime

Years Active

1964

Genres

bossa nova, MPB, choro, classical, orchestral

Instruments

piano, vocals

Biography

Francis Hime is a distinguished Brazilian composer, pianist, and arranger whose career spans several decades and genres, bridging the gap between popular and erudite music. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1939, he began his formal musical training at age six with piano lessons. In the mid-1950s, he moved to Lausanne, Switzerland, to further his studies, returning to Brazil in 1959. Upon his return, Hime became an influential part of the Bossa Nova movement, collaborating with iconic figures such as Vinícius de Moraes, Carlos Lyra, and Baden Powell. One of his most celebrated early compositions was "Sem mais adeus," a partnership with Vinícius de Moraes that was famously recorded by singer Wanda Sá.

Throughout his career, Hime has demonstrated a unique ability to blend the sophisticated harmonies of Bossa Nova and MPB with orchestral elements. In 1969, after completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he moved to the United States to study composition and arranging for four years. His extensive discography includes landmark albums like 'Passaredo' and 'Choro Rasgado,' as well as symphonic works and film scores. He has maintained a long-standing creative and personal partnership with his wife, the singer and lyricist Olívia Hime, with whom he has recorded several collaborative albums, including 'Alma Música.' His work remains a cornerstone of Brazilian sophisticated popular music.

Discography

• Francis Hime (1973)
• Passaredo (1977)
• Chico Buarque And Francis Hime Featuring Simone – Dona Flor And Her Two Husbands (Original Soundtrack Recording) (1977)
• Se Porém Fosse Portanto (1978)
• Francis (1980)
• Francis Hime, Egberto Gismonti – Passeio no Bosque Encantado / O Dirigível Tereré (1980)
• Sonho de Moço (1981)
• Pau Brasil (1982)
• Essas Parcerias (1984)
• Clareando (1985)
• Choro Rasgado (1997)
• Álbum Musical (1997)
• Meus Caros Pianistas (2001)
• Sinfonia do Rio de Janeiro de São Sebastião (2002)
• Brasil Lua Cheia (2003)
• Arquitetura da Flor (2006)
• Francis Ao Vivo (2007)
• Fernanda Montenegro, Lázaro Ramos e Francis Hime – Jorge Amado (2008)
• Álbum Musical 2 (2008)
• O Tempo das Palavras... Imagem (2009)
• Francis Hime / Nelson Ayres - Concerto para Violão e Concertino para Percurssão (2010)
• Olivia Hime, Francis Hime – Almamúsica (2011)
• Olivia Hime, Francis Hime – Almamúsica Ao Vivo (2012)
• Francis e Guinga (2012)
• Navega Ilumina (2014)
• Francis Hime, 50 Anos de Música (2015)
• Olivia & Francis Hime – Sem Mais Adeus (2017)
• Hoje (2019)
• Estuário das Canções · Inéditas (2023)
• Não Navego pra Chegar (2025)