Jorge Ben Jor

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Jorge Ben, Jorge Benjor, Jorge Ben Jor Jockey

Years Active

1963

Genres

MPB, samba rock, sambalanço, samba funk, tropicália, bossa nova, samba, funk, rock, soul, reggae, afro-brazilian folk, blues, pop

Instruments

vocals, guitar, pandeiro

Biography

Jorge Duílio Lima Menezes, widely known as Jorge Ben Jor, is a seminal figure in Brazilian popular music, celebrated for his innovative fusion of samba with funk, rock, and bossa nova. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he received his first pandeiro at thirteen and began singing in a church choir by fifteen. His musical journey took off in 1963 with the release of his debut single "Mas Que Nada," which became an international hit and was famously covered by Sérgio Mendes. Ben Jor's unique guitar style, often described as percussive and rhythmic, has been a hallmark of his career, earning him the title "the father of samba rock." His early work was instrumental in the evolution of bossa nova into MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), and he participated in key musical movements like Tropicália.

Throughout the 1970s, Ben Jor released some of his most experimental and acclaimed albums, including "A Tábua de Esmeralda" (1974) and "África Brasil" (1976). The latter, a blend of funk and samba, further showcased his distinctive sound and reliance on the electric guitar. His song "Taj Mahal" from "África Brasil" gained international recognition when Rod Stewart's hit "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" was found to have plagiarized its melody, leading to a settled lawsuit. Ben Jor's music has been widely sampled by producers and covered by numerous artists across various genres, attesting to its enduring influence.

In 1989, he officially changed his stage name from Jorge Ben to Jorge Ben Jor, a move attributed to various reasons including numerology or a mix-up with royalties. His career has spanned over five decades, marked by a prolific discography and consistent innovation. Ben Jor's contributions to Brazilian music have been recognized with accolades such as the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. His work continues to inspire new generations of musicians, solidifying his status as one of Brazil's most important and influential artists, alongside contemporaries like Gilberto Gil and Tim Maia.

Discography

• Samba Esquema Novo (1963)
• Jorge Ben e os Copa 5 – Mas que Nada ! (1963)
• Ben É Samba Bom (1964)
• Sacundin Ben Samba (1964)
• Big Ben (1965)
• O Bidú: Silêncio no Brooklin (1967)
• Jorge Ben (1969)
• Fôrça Bruta (1970)
• Negro É Lindo (1971)
• Ben (1972)
• On Stage (1972)
• Jorge Ben On Stage (1972)
• 10 Anos Depois (1973)
• A Tábua de Esmeralda (1974)
• Solta o Pavão (1975)
• Dal Vivo Al Sistina (1975)
• À L'Olympia (1975)
• Gil e Jorge – Ogum Xangô (1975)
• Tropical (1976)
• África Brasil (1976)
• A Banda do Zé Pretinho (1978)
• Salve Simpatia (1979)
• Alô Alô, Como Vai? (1980)
• Bem-Vinda Amizade (1981)
• Dádiva (1983)
• Sonsual (1984)
• Ben Brasil (1986)
• Benjor (1989)
• Norma Jean (Remix) (1989)
• Norma Jean (1989)
• W/Brasil (Chama o Síndico) (1990)
• Gilberto Gil, Benjor – Produto Nacional Bruto (1990)
• Ao Vivo no Rio (1991)
• 23 (1993)
• Mestres da MPB 2 (1993)
• Música! (1993)
• Grandes mestres da MPB (1993)
• World Dance (1995)
• Homo Sapiens (1995)
• Músicas para Tocar em Elevador (1997)
• Acústico MTV (2001)
• Reactivus Amor Est (2004)
• Reactivus Amor Est (Turba Philosophorum) (2004)
• Sou da Pesada (2006)
• Aragão • Ben Jor • Mautner • Vercilo – Coisa de Jorge (Ao Vivo na Praia de Copacabana) (2007)
• Recuerdos de Asunción 443 (2007)
• A Arte de Jorge Ben Jor (2015)
• Alô alô Jorge Ben Jor (2015)
• Mas que Nada Original