Sérgio Cabral

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Sérgio de Oliveira Cabral Santos

Years active

1957–2024

Genres

samba, mpb, choro

Biography

Sérgio Cabral Santos (1937-2024) was a multifaceted Brazilian artist, recognized as a journalist, writer, composer, researcher, and musical producer. Born in the neighborhood of Cascadura, in Rio de Janeiro, he began his career in journalism in 1957, working for media outlets such as Diário da Noite and Jornal do Brasil. His trajectory in journalism led him to delve deeply into Brazilian culture, especially popular music.

As a composer, Cabral was a partner of Rildo Hora, with whom he wrote lyrics for songs such as "Janelas Azuis", "Visgo de Jaca", and "Os Meninos da Mangueira". His compositions were recorded by prominent names in Brazilian music, such as Martinho da Vila and Elza Soares. In addition to being a composer, he worked as a musical producer between 1973 and 1981, contributing to the promotion of artists and musical works.

Sérgio Cabral also left a legacy as a writer, with several works addressing the history of Brazilian music, carnival, and biographies of great names such as Tom Jobim, Pixinguinha, and Nara Leão. His passion for samba and the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro was a recurring theme in his work, consolidating him as an important disseminator and researcher of Brazilian popular culture. His work as a city councilman and councilor of the Municipal Court of Accounts of Rio de Janeiro also marked his public life.