Nelson Jacobina

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1970–2012

Genres

MPB, samba, manguebeat

Instruments

acoustic guitar, electric guitar

Biography

Nelson Jacobina Rocha Pires was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1953 and built a solid career as a composer, acoustic guitarist, electric guitarist, and arranger. Throughout his career, he stood out as one of Jorge Mautner's most frequent and important partners, collaborating on the creation of prominent Brazilian music hits such as "Maracatu Atômico" and "Lágrimas Negras". In the 1970s, he joined Banda Atômica alongside names like Vinícius Cantuária and Arnaldo Brandão, in addition to making a constant presence on records and live performances. His artistic work was recorded by several renowned MPB interpreters, cementing his name in the history of national culture.

In addition to his long-lasting partnership with Jorge Mautner, Jacobina joined the prestigious big band Orquestra Imperial starting in 2002. In the group, he shared the stage with renowned artists such as Rodrigo Amarante, Moreno Veloso, Domenico Lancellotti, Kassin, Nina Becker, Thalma de Freitas, his brother Rubinho Jacobina, and the renowned drummer Wilson das Neves. The band acted as an accompanist for various revelations of Brazilian popular music, contributing to the renewal of the country's musical scene.

Nelson Jacobina passed away in 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, a victim of lung cancer, after years living with the illness without ever stopping performing. His musical contribution remains alive through his compositions immortalized by voices such as Gal Costa and Gilberto Gil, in addition to the influence exerted on the manguebeat movement with covers by Chico Science & Nação Zumbi.

Discography

• Jorge Mautner & Nelson Jacobina – Árvore da Vida (1988)