Jair Rodrigues

Origin

Igarapava, SP

Also known as

Jair Rodrigues de Oliveira

Years Active

1954–2014

Genres

samba, MPB, bossa nova, sertanejo

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Jair Rodrigues (1939–2014) was a seminal Brazilian singer known for his immense charisma, joy, and versatile vocal style. Born in Igarapava, São Paulo, he held several humble jobs like mechanic and bricklayer before winning a talent show at Rádio Cultura. He began his professional journey as a crooner in the mid-1950s in São Carlos, eventually moving to the state capital to pursue a career in television and recording.

In 1964, Rodrigues achieved massive success with the song "Deixa isso pra lá," which is often cited as a precursor to Brazilian rap due to its rhythmic, spoken-word delivery. This period also marked the beginning of his legendary partnership with Elis Regina on the TV show "O Fino da Bossa," leading to a series of successful live albums titled "Dois na Bossa." His popularity was further solidified in 1966 when he won the II Festival da Música Popular Brasileira with the song "Disparada," written by Geraldo Vandré and Théo de Barros, in a historic tie with Chico Buarque.

Throughout his decades-long career, Rodrigues explored various facets of Brazilian music, from traditional samba and samba-enredo to sertanejo classics like "O Menino da Porteira." He remained an energetic performer until his sudden death in 2014. His musical legacy lives on through his children, the singers Jair Oliveira and Luciana Mello, who have both become established artists in their own right.

Discography

• O Samba Como Ele É (1963)
• Vou de Samba com Você (1964)
• Elis Regina e Jair Rodrigues – 2 na Bossa (1965)
• O Samba É Mais Samba com Jair Rodrigues (1965)
• O Sorriso Do Jair (1966)
• Elis Regina & Jair Rodrigues – Dois na Bossa Número 2 (1966)
• Jair (1967)
• Elis Regina & Jair Rodrigues – Dois na Bossa Número 3 (1967)
• Menino Rei da Alegria (1968)
• Jair de Todos os Sambas (1969)
• Jair de Todos os Sambas No. 2 (1969)
• Jair de Todos os Sambas Nº 2 (1969)
• Talento e Bossa (1970)
• É Isso Aí... (1971)
• Festa para um Rei Negro (1971)
• Com a Corda Toda (1972)
• Orgulho de um Sambista (1973)
• ..."Abra um Sorriso Novamente"... (1974)
• 10 Anos Depois (1974)
• à l'Olympia (1975)
• Eu Sou O Samba (1975)
• Minha Hora e Vez (1976)
• Estou com o Samba e Não Abro! (1977)
• O Rei Do Samba (1978)
• Pisei Chão (1978)
• Couro Comendo (1979)
• Antologia da Seresta (1979)
• Estou Lhe Devendo um Sorriso (1980)
• Alegria de um Povo (1981)
• Jair Rodrigues de Oliveira (1982)
• Carinhoso - As Mais Belas Canções Românticas Brasileiras (1983)
• Samba Sambão (1984)
• Luzes Do Prazer (1984)
• Jair Rodrigues (1985)
• Sambas de Enredo Nota 10! (1985)
• Lamento Sertanejo (1991)
• Viva Meu Samba (1994)
• Eu Sou... (1996)
• De Todas as Bossas (1998)
• 500 Anos de Folia - 100% Ao Vivo (1999)
• 500 Anos de Folia (Ao Vivo) (1999)
• 500 Anos de Folia - Volume 2 (2000)
• Desde que Samba É Samba (2000)
• Intérprete (2002)
• A Nova Bossa (2003)
• Alma Negra (2005)
• Em Branco e Preto (2008)
• Brazilian Roots: Samba, Vol. 4 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Samba, Vol. 5 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Samba, Vol. 6 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Samba, Vol. 7 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Samba, Vol. 8 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Samba, Vol. 9 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Samba, Vol. 10 (2013)
• Samba Mesmo - Vol.1 (2014)
• Samba Mesmo - Vol.2 (2014)
• A Arte de Jair Rodrigues (2015)
• Vem Chegando A Madrugada
• Coleção Obras-Primas