Jards Macalé

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Jards Anet da Silva, Macalé

Years Active

1965–2025

Genres

MPB, samba, jazz, marginal music, tropicália, samba-canção, bolero, choro, xote

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, cello

Biography

Jards Macalé is a seminal figure in Brazilian music, known for his multifaceted career as a singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and actor. Born Jards Anet da Silva in Rio de Janeiro, he grew up in the Tijuca neighborhood, where he was exposed to both the rhythmic pulses of samba from the nearby Morro da Formiga and the classical sounds of his home. He received rigorous musical training, studying orchestration with Guerra-Peixe and acoustic guitar with Turíbio Santos. His nickname, Macalé, was inherited from a Botafogo football player known for his irregular performance, a name that would eventually become synonymous with his own rebellious and "marginal" artistic identity.

He emerged in the 1960s within the influential Grupo Opinião and developed a close professional relationship with Maria Bethânia, serving as the musical director for her early solo performances. Macalé became a central figure in the avant-garde scene, participating in the 1969 International Song Festival with the controversial "Gotham City." His collaboration with Caetano Veloso was particularly significant, as he served as the guitarist and musical producer for the legendary album Transa during their time in London. Throughout his career, Macalé’s work has bridged the gap between sophisticated arrangements and popular Brazilian genres like samba and choro.

Often labeled as a "maldito" (accursed) or marginal artist due to his independent stance and political activism, he organized the "Banquete dos Mendigos" concert in 1973 to celebrate human rights during the military dictatorship. His songwriting has provided hits for various icons, most notably Gal Costa, who made "Vapor Barato" a national classic. In the 21st century, Macalé has experienced a creative resurgence, releasing the acclaimed album Besta Fera in 2019 and collaborating with João Donato on Síntese do Lance. His legacy remains that of a fierce innovator who refused to let his art be fully co-opted by the cultural industry.

Discography

• Jards Macalé (1972)
• Aprender A Nadar (1974)
• Contrastes (1977)
• Contrastes Ao Vivo (1977)
• A Volta para Vitória (1981)
• 4 Batutas & 1 Coringa (1987)
• Jards Macalé, Dalva Torres – Ismael Silva - Peçam Bis (1988)
• Jards Macalé convidado especial Naná Vasconcelos – Let's Play That (1994)
• O Q Faço É Música (1998)
• Macalé Canta Moreira (2001)
• Amor, Ordem & Progresso (2003)
• Real Grandeza (2005)
• Macao (2008)
• Jards (2011)
• Ao Vivo (2015)
• Zé Renato, Jards Macalé, Guinga, Moacyr Luz – Dobrando a Carioca Ao Vivo (2016)
• Só Morto Ao Vivo (2017)
• Jards Macalé Canta no Presídio (2018)
• Besta Fera (2019)
• João Donato & Jards Macalé – Síntese do Lance (2021)
• Coração Bifurcado (2023)
• Mascarada: Zé Keti por Sergio Krakowski Trio e Jards Macalé (2024)