Os Cinco Crioulos

Years active

1967–1969

Genres

samba

Instruments

cavaquinho, vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Os Cinco Crioulos were a Brazilian samba musical group formed in 1967. The ensemble emerged from the union of members from the groups "A Voz do Morro" and "Rosa de Ouro" and stood out in the Rio de Janeiro music scene of the 1960s. The original members were Anescar do Salgueiro, Elton Medeiros, Jair do Cavaquinho, Nelson Sargento, and Paulinho da Viola. Shortly afterward, Mauro Duarte replaced Paulinho da Viola, who dedicated himself to other projects.

The group released three albums through the Odeon label, all titled "Samba... no Duro", in the years 1967, 1968, and 1969. These records featured a repertoire rich in classic sambas and unreleased compositions by their members and partners, cementing the musical quality and importance of the group for the genre. The discography of Os Cinco Crioulos is a milestone in the history of samba, bringing together talents that would become individual references.

Despite their short trajectory, Os Cinco Crioulos left a significant legacy. The union of these renowned sambistas resulted in high-quality work, influencing future generations and being remembered as one of Brazil's great samba ensembles. The importance of each member individually, such as Elton Medeiros, Nelson Sargento, Jair do Cavaquinho, Mauro Duarte, and Anescar do Salgueiro, contributed to the strength and recognition of the group.