Luiz Antonio Simas

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

2007

Genres

samba, samba-enredo

Biography

Luiz Antonio Simas is a renowned Brazilian historian, professor, writer, and songwriter, born in Rio de Janeiro. His intellectual and artistic journey is deeply marked by the research of Rio's Afro-diasporic culture, with an emphasis on samba schools and African-derived religions. As an author, he has published several reference works on Brazil's social history and popular philosophy, most notably his partnership with writer Nei Lopes on the Dicionário da História Social do Samba, a work awarded the Jabuti Prize.

In addition to his academic and literary work, Simas has a strong connection to Brazilian popular music as a songwriter, having had his songs recorded by various prominent performers, such as Fabiana Cozza, Jéssica Ellen, Marcelo D2, and Rita Benneditto. He also navigates the universe of Rio's carnival as a judge for the Estandarte de Ouro and an author of samba-enredo for schools such as Unidos da Tijuca. His initiatives of public classes and debates in bohemian spaces and public squares have consolidated his role as an important diffuser of oral memory and the resistance of urban popular culture.

Throughout his career, he has received important decorations for his contribution to the culture of Rio de Janeiro, including the Pedro Ernesto Commendation and the Tiradentes Medal. His literary and musical work dialogues directly with the heritage of great names in our culture, such as Luiz Carlos da Vila, immortalizing the experiences and ancestry of Rio's streets and terreiros.