João Chaves

Origin

Montes Claros, MG

Years Active

1909–1970

Genres

modinha, seresta, regional music, MPB

Instruments

flute, piston, viola, accordion

Biography

João Chaves was a multifaceted Brazilian artist, born in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, on May 22, 1885. His career spanned several areas, establishing him as a poet, cordel poet, composer, performer, serenader, journalist, lawyer, and politician. Self-taught, he showed an aptitude for the arts from an early age, writing his first poem at the age of eight. He studied history, literature, poetry, music, and theater, influenced by the priests of the Premonstratensian Congregation.

As a composer, João Chaves left a legacy of modinhas and serestas, many of them in partnership with Teófilo de Azevedo Filho (Téo Azevedo). He won the 1st Seresta Contest of Minas Gerais in 1967 and composed notable songs such as "Adeus" (O Bardo) and "Hino a Nossa Senhora". His poetic work was also recognized, being honored with the "Cordel de João Chaves" by Jackson Antunes and immortalized as the patron of chair number 31 of the Montes-Clarenses Academy of Letters.

In the journalistic sphere, he founded the weekly newspapers "A Palavra" (1909) and "O Sol" (1913) in Montes Claros, as well as the newspaper "A Defesa" in Bocaiúva. His political career included a term as a city councilman in Montes Claros between 1917 and 1919. João Chaves passed away on May 11, 1970, in his hometown, leaving behind a rich cultural collection that continues to be celebrated and disseminated.