Luís Nunes Sampaio

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Careca

Years active

1920–1927

Genres

samba, choro, maxixe, marcha

Instruments

piano

Biography

Luís Nunes Sampaio, known by his stage name Careca, was a prominent Brazilian pianist and composer, born in Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 1886, and passing away in the same city on May 21, 1953. He was a significant figure in the Rio de Janeiro Carnival scene during the 1920s, known for his lively piano performances of choros and maxixes at events hosted by the Clube dos Fenianos and Clube dos Zuavos. His music often captured the spirit of the era, with compositions that were both popular and reflective of the social and political climate.

Careca gained considerable recognition in 1922 with his carnival samba "Ai, seu Mé," co-written with Freire Júnior. This song satirized Artur Bernardes, a presidential candidate nicknamed "Carneiro," "Rolinha," and "Seu Mé." Despite its success and its authors' use of the pseudonym "Canalhas da rua," the song led to persecution, with Freire Júnior being arrested and Careca forced into hiding. In the same year, his samba "As meninas de hoje" was recorded by the Orquestra Augusto Lima, and "Com esta figa" and "Foi ela quem me deixou" were released by the singer Bahiano, who became one of Careca's main interpreters.

Throughout the 1920s, Careca continued to produce popular carnival music, including "Um, dois, três," "Ceroula não é cueca," and "Iaiá me leva pra cadeirinha," all recorded by Bahiano. His biggest hit, "O casaco da mulata," also known as "O casaco da mulata é de prestação," achieved significant success in 1924, being recorded almost simultaneously by Orquestra Brasil-América and Bahiano. He also enjoyed success with "Os passarinhos da Carioca" in 1925. Beyond his musical contributions, Careca was an avid participant in the popular "batalhas de confete" (confetti battles) in Rio de Janeiro, earning awards that he proudly displayed. His work, particularly his sambas and marches, remains a vibrant part of Brazil's early 20th-century popular music landscape.