Izaias do Bandolim

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Izaias Bueno de Almeida

Years Active

1947

Genres

choro, instrumental

Instruments

mandolin, cavaquinho

Biography

Izaias Bueno de Almeida, known professionally as Izaias do Bandolim, is a highly respected Brazilian mandolin player and composer, born in São Paulo on June 7, 1937. His career, dedicated to the choro genre, began at the tender age of 10 when he started playing the mandolin. By the age of 16, he was already performing on television, appearing on shows like "Grêmio Juvenil Tupi" on TV Tupi. His early exposure to music was influenced by his father, Benedito Bueno de Almeida, an orchestra clarinetist, and his brother, Israel de Almeida, a guitarist and cavaquinho player.

In 1956, Izaias met the legendary Jacob do Bandolim, who became a significant supporter of his burgeoning career. This encounter marked a turning point, solidifying his path as a prominent instrumentalist. Throughout his extensive career, Izaias has had the honor of performing alongside numerous Brazilian music luminaries, including Pixinguinha, Waldir Azevedo, Sivuca, and Radamés Gnattali, among many others. His dedication to choro led him to form his own group, "Izaias e Seus Chorões," in the early 1970s, which became a cornerstone of São Paulo's instrumental music scene.

Izaias do Bandolim's discography includes significant works such as "O Fino do Bandolim" (1981), "30 Anos de Waldir Azevedo" (1994), and "Pé na Cadeira" (1999). He has also participated in collaborative projects like the "Roda de Choro 1" songbook in 2012. His contributions have been recognized with awards, including the APCA award for "Musician Revelation of the Year" in 1974. Izaias continues to be an influential figure, inspiring new generations of musicians and actively participating in choro rodas, ensuring the genre's vibrant legacy.

Discography

• Quem Não Chora Não Ama (1999)
• Izaías e Israel Entre Amigos – O Choro e Sua História (2005)
• Izaías do Bandolim, Luizinho 7 Cordas – Encontro de Mestres (2018)
• O Choro Do Serrado (2020)
• Cordão Carnavalesco Assim É que É, Izaías do Bandolim – O Bom Filho à Casa Torna (2022)