Martinho da Vila

Origin

Duas Barras, RJ

Years Active

1967

Genres

samba, MPB, partido alto, bossa nova

Instruments

vocals, percussion, guitar

Biography

Martinho da Vila, born Martinho José Ferreira in Duas Barras, is one of the most prominent singers, composers, and writers in the history of Brazilian popular music. Moving to Rio de Janeiro at a young age, he eventually left his career as a bureaucrat and military sergeant to dedicate himself fully to music, achieving national prominence in the late 1960s through music festivals with classics like "Casa de Bamba" and "O Pequeno Burguês". Beyond his massive record sales and numerous Latin Grammy wins, he became a cultural ambassador for lusophony and a revered figure tied to the Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school.

Throughout his prolific career, Martinho has transcended traditional samba, incorporating diverse Brazilian rhythms such as ciranda, frevo, bossa nova, and capoeira into his expansive discography. His artistry has been celebrated and interpreted by legendary Brazilian musicians like Zeca Pagodinho, Alcione, and Simone, cementing his status as a pillar of MPB. In addition to his musical output, he has authored several books, ranging from novels to children's literature, and has received multiple honorary doctorates for his cultural contributions.

Deeply engaged with cultural diplomacy, Martinho has served as a cultural ambassador for Angola and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). His enduring legacy is marked by relentless artistic research, landmark albums like Lusofonia and Negra Ópera, and an inseparable bond with Carnival culture in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. His collaborative spirit and timeless compositions continue to influence generations of artists across Brazil.

Discography

• Nem Todo Crioulo É Doido (1968)
• Martinho da Vila (1969)
• Meu Laiáraiá (1970)
• Memórias de um Sargento de Milícias (1971)
• Batuque na Cozinha (1972)
• Origens (Pelo Telefone) (1973)
• Canta Canta, Minha Gente (1974)
• Maravilha de Cenário (1975)
• Rosa Do Povo (1976)
• Presente (1977)
• Tendinha (1978)
• Terreiro, Sala e Salão (1979)
• Samba Enredo (1980)
• Portuñol Latinoamericano (1980)
• Sentimentos (1981)
• Verso... Reverso (1982)
• Novas Palavras (1983)
• Martinho da Vila Isabel (1984)
• Criações e Recriações (1985)
• Recriando a Criação (1985)
• Batuqueiro (1986)
• Coração Malandro (1987)
• Festa da Raça (1988)
• Batuqeiro (1988)
• O Canto das Lavadeiras (1989)
• Martinho da Vida (1990)
• Amo e Acho Pouco (1990)
• Vai Meu Samba, Vai! (1991)
• Martinho da Vila (1992)
• Vila Isabel (1993)
• Ao Rio de Janeiro (1994)
• Tá Delícia, Tá Gostoso (1995)
• Coisas de Deus (1996)
• 3.0 Turbinado (1998)
• O Pai da Alegria (1999)
• Lusofonia (2000)
• Da Vila da Roça e da Cidade (2001)
• Voz e Coração (2002)
• Conexões (2003)
• Conexões Ao Vivo (2004)
• Mário de Andrade (2004)
• Brasilatinidade (2005)
• Brasilatinidade (Ao Vivo) (2005)
• Do Brasil e do Mundo (2007)
• O Pequeno Burguês!! (2008)
• Sambas Enredo e Carnaval (2008)
• O Pequeno Burguês (Ao Vivo) (2009)
• Filosofia de Vida (Trilha Sonora) (2010)
• Poeta da Cidade - Martinho Canta Noel (2010)
• Lambendo A Cria (2011)
• Filosofia de Vida - O Pequeno Burguês (2011)
• 4.5 Atual (2012)
• Moacyr Luz, Aldir Blanc, Monarco, Tia Surica & Martinho da Vila – Pirajá - Esquina Carioca - a Cozinha do Samba Ao Vivo (2013)
• Martinho da Vila - Cidade Negra - Emicida – Rock In Rio (Ao Vivo) (2013)
• Ao Vivo (2013)
• Sambabook (2013)
• Enredo (2014)
• Duetos (2014)
• De Bem com a Vida (2016)
• Alô Vila Isabeeeel!!! (2018)
• Bandeira da Fé (2018)
• Rio: Só Vendo a Vista (2020)
• Martinho 8.0 - Bandeira da Fé: Um Concerto Pop-Clássico (Ao Vivo) (2020)
• Mistura Homogênea (2022)
• Negra Ópera (2023)
• Violões e Cavaquinhos (2024)
• Ô Morena, Como É Bom Viajar