Marly Tavares

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1950s–present

Genres

bossa nova, jazz dance, musical theatre

Biography

Marly Tavares is a multifaceted Brazilian artist, renowned as a dancer, choreographer, and singer, who rose to prominence in the bossa nova scene of the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Rio de Janeiro on June 28, 1940, she began her artistic journey with classical ballet training at the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro. Her early career saw her performing as a dancer and singer on television programs like "Espetáculos Tonelux" and "Noite de Gala" on TV Tupi, as well as in popular Rio nightclubs such as Freds and Night and Day, under the direction of Carlos Machado.

In the early 1960s, Tavares achieved significant recognition for her lead role in the musical revue "Skindô," which premiered at the Copacabana Palace in 1961 and subsequently toured internationally to cities like Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Paris. She also became a fixture in the vibrant Beco das Garrafas scene, performing in intimate pocket-shows at the Little Club alongside notable Brazilian artists such as Elis Regina, Wilson Simonal, Marcos Moran, and the Bossa Três trio. Her musical contributions include the 1964 compact album "Eu também canto," released with Bossa Três.

Tavares' international career extended to a European tour with Sylvia Telles, Edu Lobo, Rosinha de Valença, and the Salvador Trio, and a role in the musical "Pobre menina rica" in Mexico with Leny Andrade and Bossa Três. She also made a guest appearance with Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '77 in Las Vegas. In later years, she returned to Brazil and continued her work in choreography, notably for the 1981 TV Globo telenovela "Baila Comigo," in collaboration with Lennie Dale. She founded the Dance Center Marly Tavares, developing her own style of jazz dance, and has been influential as a teacher in prominent Rio de Janeiro dance academies.