Jorge Eduardo Simas

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Jorge Simas, Jorge Eduardo Collyer Simas

Years active

1968

Genres

choro, samba, mpb, instrumental music, jazz

Instruments

seven-string guitar, accordion, cavaquinho, mandolin

Biography

Jorge Eduardo Simas, known artistically as Jorge Simas, is a renowned Brazilian acoustic guitarist, composer, and arranger, born in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 1953. His musical journey began in childhood, at age five, when he started playing the accordion, going on to compose small waltzes and songs. After a period away from music due to the death of his father, Simas renewed his interest in adolescence, teaching himself the cavaquinho and mandolin. His first composition with lyrics, "Lua vazia", won a music festival in 1968.

In his youth, while studying Engineering, Jorge Simas developed a strong connection with choro, frequenting the bar Suvaco de Cobra, a meeting point for musicians. This phase marked the beginning of his professional career, participating in samba jam sessions and small shows. In 1976, he turned professional as a seven-string acoustic guitarist, playing alongside major MPB names such as Ademilde Fonseca, K-Ximbinho, Nelson Cavaquinho, and Dona Ivone Lara. In 1977, he founded the ensemble Nó em Pingo d'Água, which gained recognition by winning the Rio de Janeiro city choro ensemble contest in 1978.

Throughout his career, Jorge Simas has established himself as one of Brazil's leading instrumentalists, with a discography that includes albums such as "Pela palavra" and "Carta ao Rei". His music spans various genres, with an emphasis on choro and samba, and has been performed at national and international festivals, such as "Folk-Tejo" in Lisbon. He has also worked as a musical director and arranger on projects paying tribute to great names of Brazilian music, such as João Nogueira and Rosinha de Valença.