Galocantô

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1990–presente

Genres

samba, pagode

Instruments

voice, seven-string acoustic guitar, cavaquinho, surdo, percussion, tantrum, mandolin, saxophone, flute, drums, double bass

Biography

The group Galocantô emerged in the late 1990s in the Lapa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, at a time when samba circles were starting to become rarer in the city. Encouraged by Ivan Milanez, a pillar of Império Serrano, a weekly Thursday samba gathering became a point of resistance and a space frequented by renowned artists such as Beth Carvalho, Renatinho Partideiro, and Luiz Carlos da Vila. Over time, the informality gave way to more serious work, and Galocantô established itself as one of the important samba groups of the new Rio de Janeiro generation.

Throughout its trajectory, Galocantô has gone through several line-ups, but has always maintained the essence of traditional samba (samba de raiz). The group is composed of musicians such as Rodrigo Carvalho (vocals), Marcelo Correia (seven-string acoustic guitar), Pablo Amaral (cavaquinho and vocals), Léo Costinha (surdo and vocals), Pedro Áreas (percussion and vocals), Lula Matos (percussion and vocals), and Edson Côrtes (percussion and vocals). Its members have a rich musical background, with participations in recordings and shows by various renowned samba artists.

Galocantô has released three CDs and one DVD in tribute to Luiz Carlos da Vila, one of their great masters and references. The album "Pano Verde", from 2016, was nominated for the Brazilian Music Award (Prêmio da Música Brasileira). The group also took part in the work "Samba Social Clube Nova Geração" in the same year. With performances in renowned concert venues in Rio de Janeiro and international tours, Galocantô keeps the tradition of samba alive, mixing in its repertoire original compositions with classics by great masters, preserving the oral teaching of samba.

Discography

• Fina Batucada (2005)
• Lirismo do Rio (2009)
• Pano Verde (2017)
• Galocantô Canta Luiz Carlos da Vila (Ao Vivo) (2019)
• Terreiro do Galo (ao Vivo) (2020)
• Luiz Carlos da Vila, 75 Anos (Ao Vivo) (2024)