Sa Roris

Origin

Curaçá, BA

Also known as

José Reis de Sá Roriz

Years Active

1936–1942

Genres

marcha, valsa, choro, toada, samba-choro, samba-jongo, marcha-frevo, samba

Biography

José Reis de Sá Roriz, known artistically as Sá Roris, was a Brazilian composer and lyricist born in Curaçá, Bahia, on June 23, 1887. He passed away in Rio de Janeiro on June 12, 1975. Roris was a multifaceted artist who also worked as a civil engineer and a drawing teacher in Rio de Janeiro's schools. His musical career gained prominence in the late 1930s and early 1940s, a period during which he composed various popular songs.

Roris's compositions spanned genres such as marches, waltzes, choros, and toadas, often featuring lyrics that captured the spirit of Brazilian life and culture. His works were recorded by notable artists of the era, including Almirante, Gastão Formenti, and the internationally acclaimed Carmen Miranda. A significant collaboration was with composer Nássara, with whom he created successful carnival marches like "Periquitinho Verde" and "Arca de Noé." The latter was notably recorded by Carmen Miranda in the United States in 1941, further cementing Roris's reach.

Beyond his individual compositions, Sá Roris was also a founding member of UBC (União Brasileira de Compositores), an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of composers in Brazil. His contributions to Brazilian music, particularly within the popular and carnival genres, left a lasting legacy. He is remembered for his melodic inventiveness and his ability to craft songs that resonated with the public during a vibrant period of Brazilian music.