Roberto Guimarães
- Origin
- São João del-Rei, MG
- Years active
- 1952
- Genres
- bossa nova, samba-canção, mpb
- Instruments
- acoustic guitar, keyboard
Biography
Born in São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Roberto Guimarães is a self-taught composer and guitarist recognized as one of the pioneers of the Bossa Nova movement within the state of Minas Gerais. His musical journey began at the age of 14, influenced by the burgeoning sounds of the radio and collaborations with his lifelong friend and partner Pacífico Mascarenhas. This early period was defined by active participation in local serenades and a growing fascination with the sophisticated harmonies emerging from Rio de Janeiro. \n\n Guimarães' career reached a pivotal turning point in 1959 during a chance meeting with João Gilberto in Belo Horizonte. After a performance at the Minas Tênis Clube, Guimarães was introduced to the legendary singer and performed several original compositions. Impressed by the song 'Amor Certinho', Gilberto promised to record it. True to his word, the track was included in the landmark 1960 album 'O Amor, o Sorriso e a Flor', featuring arrangements by Tom Jobim. This association solidified Guimarães' reputation as a refined songwriter whose work bridged the gap between traditional serenades and modern Bossa Nova. \n\n Throughout the 1960s, Guimarães remained an active figure in the Minas Gerais music scene, joining the vocal group Sambacana and the Coral de Ouro Preto. Although he pursued a primary career as an economist, he never ceased composing. His body of work has been interpreted by various prominent Brazilian artists such as Luiz Melodia, Leila Pinheiro, and Sérgio Ricardo. Later in life, after retiring from his professional career in economics, he returned to the studio to release independent albums 'Amor Certinho' (2003) and 'Saudade de Mim' (2009), featuring collaborations with iconic members of the Clube da Esquina like Lô Borges and Milton Nascimento-associate Toninho Horta.