Jorginho Pessanha

Origin

Campos, RJ

Also known as

Jorge Gomes Pessanha

Years Active

1960s–1970s

Genres

samba

Biography

Jorge Gomes Pessanha, artistically known as Jorginho Pessanha, was a Brazilian sambista, songwriter, and singer, born in Campos, Rio de Janeiro, on March 30, 1931. The son of the founder of the samba school Unidos da Capela, in the suburb of Parada de Lucas, in Rio de Janeiro, Pessanha had contact with samba since childhood, attending the school's jam sessions with his father. After the merger of "Unidos da Capela" with "Aprendizes de Lucas", which gave rise to the recreation club and samba school Unidos de Lucas, he chose to step away from the organization.

His musical career gained prominence starting in the 1960s, when he joined the Composers' Wing of Império Serrano, at the invitation of Moacyr Rodrigues. As a member of the school, he was part of the Brazilian delegation that performed at the "First Festival of Negro Arts" in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966, accompanying names like Clementina de Jesus, Elton Medeiros, Ataulfo Alves, and Paulinho da Viola. Throughout his trajectory, he collaborated with important samba composers, such as Padeirinho, Leci Brandão, Mano Décio da Viola, and Walter Rosa.

Jorginho Pessanha had his compositions interpreted by artists like Roberto Silva, Zuzuca, Jorginho do Império, Leci Brandão, Neguinho da Beija-Flor, and Beth Carvalho. Among his hits, the samba "Favela", composed in partnership with Padeirinho, stands out. He released two albums in the 1970s, "Tô Muito Na Minha" (1971) and "Autêntico" (1973), in addition to participating in compilation albums. Jorginho Pessanha passed away on February 18, 1981, leaving an important legacy for Brazilian samba, although he had more restricted recognition during his lifetime.

Discography

• Jorginho e Brasil Ritmo 67 – Jorginho é Samba Certo (1967)
• "Tô" Muito na Minha (1971)
• Autêntico (1973)