Luciane Menezes

Origin

São João de Meriti, RJ

Genres

samba, choro, samba de raiz, música popular brasileira

Instruments

cavaquinho, violão, voz

Biography

Luciane Menezes is a Brazilian singer, cavaquinho player, researcher, and composer born in São João de Meriti, Rio de Janeiro, in 1967. She began her musical journey at the age of 18, playing the acoustic guitar and singing. Her career took a new direction when she joined the Companhia Folclórica do Rio, where she began dedicating herself to the cavaquinho.

Menezes is one of the founders of the Grupo Cultural Jongo da Serrinha and the Associação Brasil Mestiço (ABM), organizations that work to preserve Afro-Brazilian rhythms, following in the footsteps of figures like Vovó Maria Joana Rezadeira and Mestre Darcy do Jongo. At ABM, she is responsible for cataloging folkloric manifestations of Rio de Janeiro, such as ciranda, jongo, umbanda, and calango. Her work also extends to the revitalization of samba and choro in Lapa, alongside artists like Teresa Cristina and Marquinhos de Oswaldo Cruz.

Throughout her career, Luciane Menezes was a member of the samba and choro group Dobrando a Esquina, with which she released her first CD. Later, she was part of the group Pau de Braúna, with which she also released a CD. In 2004, she debuted her solo career with the release of her first album. Menezes has performed in various cultural spaces and major shows, such as Canecão, Circo Voador, Carioca da Gema, and Rio-Scenarium, frequently receiving special guests at her performances.

Discography

• Luciane Menezes e Pau da Braúna (2003)