Quarteto em Cy

Origin

Ibirataia, BA

Years active

1964–2023

Genres

mpb, bossa nova, vocal group

Biography

Quarteto em Cy is widely considered the greatest and longest-standing female vocal quartet in Brazil. Formed in 1964 in Rio de Janeiro, the group originally consisted of four sisters from Ibirataia, Bahia: Cybele, Cylene, Cynara, and Cyva Ribeiro de Sá Leite. Championed early on by the legendary poet Vinícius de Moraes, who affectionately called them his "little girls from Bahia," the group quickly established themselves as a cornerstone of Brazilian popular music and bossa nova harmony.

Throughout a career spanning five decades, the lineup underwent various changes while maintaining its exquisite vocal standards. In the late 1960s, they achieved international success performing under the moniker The Girls From Bahia. Their versatile voices breathed life into compositions by iconic Brazilian artists such as Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Chico Buarque, and Toquinho. They also recorded landmark collaborative albums, including the renowned Os Afro-Sambas with Baden Powell and Vinícius de Moraes, as well as joint projects with the vocal group MPB4.

The group released over thirty albums both in Brazil and abroad, earning critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including a nomination at the Prêmio da Música Brasileira for their album Janelas Abertas. Despite the passing of foundational members such as Cybele, Cynara, and Cyva in subsequent years, the legacy of Quarteto em Cy endured through newer members like Keyla Fogaça and Corina, cementing their status as immortal icons of Brazilian vocal artistry.