Rubinho do Vale

Origin

Rubim, MG

Years active

1976

Genres

mpb, folk, regional music

Instruments

guitar, viola caipira, vocals

Biography

Rubinho do Vale is a Brazilian singer-songwriter and folk guitarist born in the town of Rubim, Minas Gerais, within the Jequitinhonha Valley region. Raised in a rural environment, he later moved to pursue education, eventually studying geological engineering at the School of Mines in Ouro Preto during the late 1970s. While pursuing his studies, he developed his musicianship autodidactically and participated in regional and university festivals, drawing inspiration from legendary figures of Brazilian music such as Elomar Figueira, Geraldo Vandré, Luiz Gonzaga, and Renato Andrade.

After participating in the First Jequitinhonha Valley Composers Meeting in Itaobim in 1979, he chose to dedicate himself entirely to an artistic career, using his voice and guitar to defend the culture and people of his homeland. He released his debut album, Tropeiro de Cantigas, in 1982, initiating an independent discography focused on rescuing popular culture and folklore. Alongside his adult-oriented folk work, many of his recordings dedicated to children became widely utilized as educational material in schools.

Operating largely outside of mainstream commercial media, Rubinho do Vale achieved significant national recognition later in his career, receiving a cultural distinction alongside renowned artists like Chico Buarque and Antônio Nóbrega. Throughout his journey, he has collaborated with various regional artists, solidifying his role as a prominent guardian of Brazilian traditional music.