Moacyr Luz

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1979

Genres

samba, mpb

Instruments

guitar, acoustic guitar

Biography

Moacyr Luz is a prominent Brazilian musician, composer, and writer born in Rio de Janeiro in 1958. Growing up surrounded by music due to his grandfather who played clarinet in the Fire Department band, Luz eventually learned to play the acoustic guitar under the guidance of teachers such as Carlos and Hélio Delmiro. His career as a songwriter took off in the late 1970s, and over the decades he has established himself as a vital figure in samba and Brazilian popular music.

Throughout his career, Luz has collaborated with numerous legendary artists, including Aldir Blanc, with whom he shared a decades-long partnership, and other musical giants like Beth Carvalho, Zeca Pagodinho, and Martinho da Vila. In 2005, he founded the famous Samba do Trabalhador circle, which became one of the most traditional samba gatherings in Rio de Janeiro. In addition to releasing acclaimed albums such as Samba da Cidade and Batucando, he has composed multiple award-winning carnival samba-enredos and authored several books celebrating Rio's cultural and bar culture.