Jairo de Lara

Origin

Campo Grande, MS

Also known as

Jairinho 7 Cordas

Years active

2025

Genres

MPB, instrumental music, regional music

Instruments

seven-string guitar, saxophone, flute

Biography

Jairo de Lara, also known as Jairinho 7 Cordas, was a distinguished Brazilian musician, composer, and arranger, renowned for his mastery of the seven-string guitar and his contributions to instrumental music. Born in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, he began his musical journey in his teens and amassed nearly five decades of a prolific career. Lara was a key member of the renowned Grupo Acaba – Canta-Dores do Pantanal, with whom he performed from 1974 to 2016, helping to preserve and promote the culture of the Pantanal region through music.

Throughout his career, Jairo de Lara collaborated with numerous prominent Brazilian artists, including Tetê Espíndola and Gabriel Sater. He also composed significant pieces, such as "Fazenda Esperança," which was notably performed by Sater on the television program Globo Rural. Beyond his musical endeavors, Lara held a degree in agronomy and worked as an engineer before dedicating himself fully to music. His instrumental work often showcased a deep connection to regional Brazilian sounds, blending them with sophisticated arrangements.

In his later years, Jairo de Lara moved to Santa Catarina, where he formed the band Laritoral with his son, Henrique Lara. This collaboration continued his legacy, with his sons also contributing to the musical scene. Jairo de Lara passed away on August 5, 2025, in Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, at the age of 67, due to complications from pneumonia. His passing was mourned by many in the Brazilian music community, who remembered him for his soulful artistry and generous spirit.