Mônica Salmaso
- Origin
- São Paulo, SP
- Years active
- 1989
- Genres
- mpb, samba, jazz, afro-samba, caipira
- Instruments
- vocals
Biography
Mônica Salmaso is a distinguished Brazilian singer celebrated for her eclectic repertoire, sophisticated arrangements, and her dedication to excavating lesser-known gems of the Great Brazilian Songbook. Born in São Paulo in 1971, she began her professional journey in the theater, performing in the 1989 play "O Concílio do Amor." Her recording career took a significant leap in 1995 with the release of "Afro-sambas," a voice-and-guitar collaboration with Paulo Bellinati that reinterpreted the seminal works of Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes.\n\nThroughout the late 1990s and 2000s, Salmaso solidified her reputation as one of the most technical and emotive voices in MPB. Her albums "Trampolim" and "Voadeira" featured collaborations with heavyweight Brazilian musicians such as percussionist Naná Vasconcelos and accordionist Toninho Ferragutti. She gained further acclaim for "Noites de Gala, Samba na rua," a project dedicated entirely to the compositions of Chico Buarque, which earned her a Latin Grammy nomination. Her ability to blend traditional Brazilian rhythms with chamber-music precision has made her a favorite among critics and fellow musicians alike.\n\nIn more recent years, Salmaso has explored the intersection of jazz and Brazilian folk traditions. Her 2011 album "Alma Lírica Brasileira," recorded with her husband, woodwind player Teco Cardoso, and pianist Nelson Ayres, won the Prêmio da Música Brasileira. She later released "Corpo de Baile," focusing on the complex songwriting partnership of Guinga and Paulo César Pinheiro, and "Caipira," an exploration of rural Brazilian music featuring guest appearances by Rolando Boldrin and André Mehmari. With over 60 guest appearances on other artists' albums, she remains a central figure in the contemporary Brazilian music scene.