Luiz Bonfá

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1940–2001

Genres

bossa nova, samba, jazz, MPB

Instruments

guitar, vocals

Biography

Luiz Floriano Bonfá was a celebrated Brazilian singer, classical guitarist, and composer, recognized as one of the pioneers of the bossa nova movement. Born in Rio de Janeiro to Italian immigrant parents, he taught himself to play the guitar as a child before studying under the renowned teacher Isaías Sávio. Throughout his illustrious career, he became famous for his sophisticated compositions and his innovative use of open strings to create a rich, expansive acoustic sound.

He achieved international acclaim as the co-composer of timeless classics such as "Manhã de Carnaval" and "Samba do Orfeu" for the iconic play and film "Orfeu da Conceição," collaborating closely with writers like Vinicius de Moraes and Antônio Maria. Bonfá performed extensively both in Brazil—including notable stints on Rádio Nacional alongside Garoto—and abroad, participating in the historic Bossa Nova Festival at Carnegie Hall in 1962. His works were recorded by legendary global artists such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Sarah Vaughan, cementing his status as a master of Brazilian music.

In addition to his traditional bossa nova contributions, Bonfá's rich catalogue has left a lasting impact on modern music through extensive sampling by hip-hop, electronic, and alternative acts worldwide, as well as by prominent Brazilian artists like Marcelo D2 and Planet Hemp. He continued to record and release celebrated works well into the later decades of his life, bridging traditional Brazilian rhythms with international jazz and pop sensitivities. His legacy remains deeply embedded in the history of Latin American guitar and modern Brazilian songcraft.

Discography

• Luiz Bonfá e Jorge Henrique – De Cigarro em Cigarro (1956)
• Luiz Bonfá e Eduardo Lincoln – Noite e Dia (1957)
• Alta Versatilidade (1957)
• Violão Boêmio (1957)
• Luiz Bonfá Toca Melodias das Américas (1958)
• Fafá Lemos, Luiz Bonfá – Bonfafá (1958)
• Ritmos Continentais (1958)
• ¡Amor! The Fabulous Guitar Of Luiz Bonfa (1959)
• Antonio Carlos Jobim & Luiz Bonfá – Orfeo Negro (1959)
• Meu Querido Violão (1959)
• O Violao de Luiz Bonfa (1959)
• Antonio Carlos Jobin And Luis Bonfa – The Original Sound Track Of The Movie Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro) (1959)
• Orfeu Negro (1959)
• A Voz e o Violão (1960)
• O Violão e o Samba (1962)
• Le Roi de La Bossa Nova (1962)
• Pery Ribeiro e Seu Mundo de Canções Românticas (1962)
• Caterina Valente e Luiz Bonfá (1963)
• Recado Novo (1963)
• Stan Getz / Luiz Bonfá – Jazz Samba Encore! (1963)
• Plays And Sings Bossa Nova (1963)
• Luiz Bonfá Plays And Sings Bossa Nova (1963)
• Violão Boêmio Vol. 2 (1964)
• Luiz Bonfa / Eumir Deodato – The Gentle Rain: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Recording (1965)
• Luiz Bonfa & Maria Toledo – Braziliana (1965)
• The Brazilian Scene (1965)
• Paul Winter (2) / Luiz Bonfa / Roberto Menescal / Luiz Eça – Rio (1965)
• Softly... (1966)
• Luiz Bonfá (1967)
• Steve & Eydie, Bonfá & Brazil (1967)
• Plays Great Songs (1968)
• Bonfá (1968)
• Maria Toledo, Luiz Bonfá – Canta (1968)
• Black Orpheus Impressions (1968)
• The New Face Of Bonfá (1970)
• Sanctuary (1971)
• Introspection (1972)
• Jacaranda (1973)
• Luiz Bonfá, Don Burrows, George Golla – Bonfa Burrows Brazil (1980)
• Yana Purim , Special Guests Luiz Bonfá and Airto Moreira – For a Distant Love (1986)
• Non-Stop To Brazil (1989)
• The Bonfá Magic (1991)
• Ithamara Koorax Sings The Luiz Bonfá Songbook (1996)
• Manhattan Strut (The N.Y. Acid Sessions) (1997)
• Brazil's King Of Bossa Nova And Guitar (2000)
• Solo in Rio 1959 (2005)
• Sambolero (2008)
• Brazilian Guitar Classics (2009)
• Le Ore Dell'amore (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / Extended Version) (2021)
• Bonfá, Vol. 1 (2021)
• Bonfá, Vol. 2 (2021)
• Favela (2021)
• Na baixa do sapateiro (2021)
• A Brazilian in New York (2023)
• Sua Melhor Época (2023)
• Primeiras Gravações (2024)
• Heartstrings (2025)
• Relaxing Guitar (2026)
• Bossa Nova Guitar & Hawaiian
• Haunted Guitar = 魅せられしギター