Livardo Alves

Origin

João Pessoa, PB

Genres

carnival marchinha, Brazilian popular music, samba, baião, forró, maracatu, xaxado, coco, repente

Biography

Livardo Alves da Costa (1935-2002) was a Brazilian journalist, poet, singer, and composer, born in João Pessoa, Paraíba. His work spanned various musical genres, including carnival marchinhas, cocos, repentes, sambas, baiões, forrós, maracatus, and xaxados. Throughout his career, he composed dozens of songs, many of them recorded by renowned Brazilian music artists.

His best-known composition is the carnival marchinha "Marcha da Cueca". Livardo Alves's songs were performed by names such as Vital Farias, Zé Ramalho, Flávio José, and Cátia de França. He also worked as a journalist for the newspaper A União and as a radio announcer and reporter for Rádio Tabajara. In addition to his musical output, Livardo Alves composed anthems for Paraibano football clubs, such as the one for Botafogo de João Pessoa.

Livardo Alves recorded two CDs, "Sol" (in partnership with Parrá) and "Malandro do Morro", as well as two LPs. His work was recognized posthumously with the inclusion of "Marcha da Cueca" on a CD honoring Carioca marchinhas and the recording of "O Meu País" by Zé Ramalho on his album "Nação Nordestina". In his hometown of João Pessoa, he was honored with a life-sized statue.

Discography

• Cachimbinho e Livardo Alves com Seu Grupo Peneira – Com Muito Amor e Pimenta (1979)