Orquestra Tabajara

Origin

João Pessoa, PB

Years active

1934

Genres

música popular brasileira, jazz, instrumental

Biography

Orquestra Tabajara is a traditional Brazilian popular orchestra, founded in 1934 in the city of João Pessoa, in Paraíba, originally under the name Jazz Tabajara on the initiative of businessman Oliver Von Sohsten. In its early years, the institution was part of the programming of Rádio Tabajara, bringing together prominent instrumentalists from the national scene such as K-Ximbinho and the young maestro Severino Araújo, who assumed the direction of the group after the death of Olegario de Luna Freire.

With the prestige achieved in the Northeast and the accompaniment of renowned singers of the era, the orchestra moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1945, at the invitation of Rádio Tupi, achieving enormous projection throughout the national territory. Throughout its trajectory, the ensemble maintained notable stints at important radio and television broadcasters in the country, such as Rádio Nacional and TV Rio, consolidating itself as one of the greatest expressions of Brazilian instrumental and dance music.

In addition to its strong presence in the media, Orquestra Tabajara took its sound to various international stages, performing tours and concerts in countries such as France, Uruguay, Argentina, and Portugal. After decades of leadership under the baton of Severino Araújo, who commanded the group for 74 years, the orchestra continued its activities under the direction of other family members and remains a living heritage of Brazilian musical culture.