Pena Branca e Xavantinho

Origin

Igarapava, SP

Years Active

1958–2010

Genres

sertaneja music, caipira music

Instruments

viola, acoustic guitar, vocals

Biography

Pena Branca e Xavantinho was a renowned Brazilian sertaneja music duo formed by brothers José Ramiro Sobrinho, known as Pena Branca, and Ranulfo Ramiro da Silva, known as Xavantinho. Born in Igarapava and raised in Uberlândia, the brothers began their artistic journey in the 1950s, singing on local radio stations before settling in São Paulo in 1968. They became major exponents of authentic caipira sertaneja music, maintaining the essence of traditional "de raiz" style in contrast to the more commercial sounds that gained strength in the 1990s.

The partnership lasted until October 1999, when Xavantinho passed away. Faced with this loss, Pena Branca pursued a solo career with the encouragement of prominent names in Brazilian culture, such as Inezita Barroso, Tarcísio Manuvéi, and Renato Teixeira, with whom he had previously collaborated on landmark records. As a soloist, he recorded acclaimed works and won the Latin Grammy for Best Sertaneja Music Album in 2001 with the album Semente Caipira.

Throughout decades of dedication to the viola and popular song, the duo and later Pena Branca's solo career left an invaluable legacy to Brazil's musical identity. With fundamental albums such as Cio da Terra and Cantadô do Mundo Afora, they immortalized the poetry and lyricism of the countryman. Pena Branca passed away in February 2010, leaving a definitive body of work for the history of caipira music.

Discography

• Violas e Canções (1993)
• Música Caipira (1993)
• Som da Terra (1994)
• Ribeirão Encheu (1995)
• Pingo D' Água (1999)
• Gigantes (2003)
• Coração Matuto (2010)