Luiz Saraiva dos Santos

Origin

Belo Monte, AL

Also known as

Saraiva, Luiz dos Santos, Luiz Saraiva

Years Active

1964–1983

Genres

samba, choro, bolero, baião, frevo, bossa nova, gafieira

Instruments

soprano sax, clarinet, mandolin, cavaquinho

Biography

Luiz Saraiva dos Santos, better known as Saraiva, was a Brazilian saxophonist and composer, born in Belo Monte, Alagoas, on March 8, 1929. He migrated with his family to São Paulo in his childhood, settling in Santos, where he developed a large part of his artistic career.

Saraiva began his musical journey playing at gafieira dances in the city of Santos, honing his technique on the soprano saxophone, the instrument that would establish him as the "King of the Soprano Sax". His skill caught the attention of Arnaldo Dias, artistic director of Rádio Clube de Santos, who hired him. Throughout his career, he recorded around 19 LPs, in addition to compilations, for the Continental, Copacabana, Beverly, and Tropicana record labels, exploring genres such as samba, choro, bolero, baião, frevo, and bossa nova.

As a composer, he signed his work as Luiz dos Santos or Luiz Saraiva. Among his successful compositions are "Corintiano", a tribute to the soccer team, and "Lágrimas de namorados". Saraiva also owned the music venue "Recanto do Saraiva", in Santos, a meeting place for fans and admirers. He passed away in 1982, leaving a legacy of over 90 compositions and an expressive discography.