Glória Bomfim

Origin

Areal, BA

Genres

samba, MPB, sacred songs, samba de roda

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Glória Bomfim, born in Areal, Bahia, in 1957, is a singer and ialorixá whose artistic and spiritual journey is intertwined with Afro-Brazilian traditions. Her musical work is deeply marked by references to the orishas, naturally moving between capoeira sambas, samba de rodas, and sacred songs. Since her childhood, lived amidst the candomblé practices taught by her family, music was present in her life at local festivals and community celebrations.

Still young, she moved to Rio de Janeiro with the dream of meeting composer Paulo César Pinheiro, whose songs she had known since her childhood radio days. In the capital of Rio de Janeiro, she worked for years as a maid and manicurist, frequenting samba circles such as that of Velha Guarda da Portela. Fate intervened in a curious way when she began working at the home of instrumentalist Luciana Rabello, Pinheiro's wife, discovering years later the connection to the composer she idolized.

With the support and encouragement of Luciana and Paulo César Pinheiro, Glória began her recording career, releasing the album Santo e Orixá in 2007, which featured unpublished compositions by the author. The album gained new prominence in 2011 when it was reissued under the title Anel de Aço on Maria Bethânia's label, solidifying her name in the samba and roots music scene. In 2018, reinforcing her artistic identity and connection to spirituality, she released through crowdfunding the album Chão de Terreiro, also composed entirely of Pinheiro's works.

Discography

• Santo e Orixá (2007)
• Anel de aço (2011)
• Chão de Terreiro (2018)