Geraldo Medeiros

Origin

Areia, PB

Also known as

Geraldo Medeiros dos Santos

Years active

1938–1970

Genres

samba, frevo, choro, marcha, maxixe

Instruments

piano, trumpet, baritone sax

Biography

Geraldo Medeiros was a Brazilian instrumentalist, composer, and arranger born in Areia, Paraíba, on November 28, 1917. He began his musical studies with his grandfather, who was a bandmaster in Guarabira, Paraíba. By 1938, Medeiros was already serving as the bandmaster for the correctional school in Pindobal, Mamanguape, Paraíba.

His career took a significant turn when he moved to João Pessoa, Paraíba, and joined the Jazz Tabajara at Rádio Tabajara as a pianist. He eventually became the lead pianist when Severino Araújo took over the band, which was then renamed Severino Araújo e sua Orquestra Tabajara. In 1944, Medeiros relocated to Rio de Janeiro, joining the Orquestra Tabajara at Rádio Tupi in January 1945. His first composition, "Zé Carioca no frevo," was recorded by this orchestra.

Medeiros also collaborated with the renowned Ary Barroso, touring Latin America with his orchestra. He worked as a pianist for various radio and television stations and was involved in numerous recordings. His samba "Sambando" was recorded by Zé Bodega in 1961. Throughout his career, Medeiros composed several pieces for carnival, including "Vem pro samba," "Saí pra sambar," "Samba do povo," and "Rio 65." He also composed the march "Cidade quatrocentão" and the frevo "Congressistas no frevo." In 1970, his samba "Sanba" and the march "Não chore oh linda mascarada" achieved success during carnival.