Leo Albano

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Albano Piccinini

Years Active

1935–late 1950s

Genres

samba, marcha, fox-trot, waltz

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Albano Piccinini, known professionally as Leo Albano, was a Brazilian singer and artistic director born in São Paulo on September 27, 1913. He began his artistic career in 1935 at Rádio Cultura de São Paulo, later moving to Rádio Educadora Paulista and then to Bandeirantes. In 1938, he worked as a crooner and presenter for the Gaó orchestra at Rádio Cruzeiro do Sul, and in the same year, he recorded his first album for Columbia, featuring the samba "Três coisas eu deixei" and the march "Boa noite, colombina".

In 1939, Albano moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he performed on Rádio Ipanema, Transmissora, and Nacional. He became the singer and artistic director of Cassino da Urca in 1940. His recordings for Victor in 1941 included the samba "Nunca mais direi adeus" and the march "Tarantela." He also appeared in the 1942 film "Samba em Berlim" and recorded the fox "Tudo é Brasil" and the samba "Minha jangada." Throughout his career, Albano's repertoire spanned various genres, including waltzes, sambas, fox-trots, and marches, earning him the nickname "O cantor da cidade" (The city's singer) in Rio de Janeiro.

Albano also worked as an artistic director for Rádio Excelsior in São Paulo and for TV Paulista. He stepped away from his artistic career in the late 1950s. His work connected him with prominent figures of Brazilian music, including Herivelto Martins, Vicente Paiva, and Chiquinho Sales.