João Mulato

Origin

Passos, MG

Also known as

Wilson Leôncio de Melo

Genres

música sertaneja, sertanejo raiz, música caipira

Instruments

viola caipira, violão

Biography

João Mulato, stage name of Wilson Leôncio de Melo, was born in Passos, Minas Gerais, on October 25, 1950. Introduced to music in his childhood by his father, who played the cavaquinho and acoustic guitar, he found his great passion in the viola caipira and the instrument that would define his artistic journey. After trying his luck in São Paulo, he settled in the capital of São Paulo in the 1970s, where he initially faced hardships and worked jobs such as a construction laborer and cleaner before achieving professional prominence.

Throughout his career, he stood out for forming notable partnerships in traditional sertanejo music. He became widely known alongside the studio viol player Bambico, with whom he formed a duo and recorded important albums, in addition to his work with Pardinho and Paraíso. He also became nationally famous for his unique skill on the viola, being recognized as the first left-handed viol player to invert the sequence of notes on the instrument. Over the course of his career, he shared stages and mutual admiration with major names of the genre, such as Tião Carreiro and Tonico & Tinoco, establishing himself as one of the great icons of Brazilian caipira music.

João Mulato passed away on April 20, 2020, in Bauru, a victim of cancer, leaving behind an expressive legacy in traditional sertanejo music. His work includes dozens of albums released over decades of dedication to the viola, receiving important awards, such as the Brazilian Music Award (Prêmio da Música Brasileira). His cultural contribution remains alive in the memory of traditional music admirers, being frequently celebrated for his authenticity and respect for the traditions of Brazil's interior.