Sérgio Ricardo
- Origin
- Marília, SP
- Years active
- 1952–2020
- Genres
- bossa nova, mpb, samba, film score, canção de protesto
- Instruments
- piano, acoustic guitar, vocals
Biography
Sérgio Ricardo, born João Lutfi in Marília, São Paulo, was a pivotal figure in the evolution of Brazilian music and cinema. Originally a classically trained pianist, he began his career playing in the boates of Rio de Janeiro, eventually taking over Tom Jobim's position at the Posto 5 nightclub. His early work was deeply rooted in the Bossa Nova movement, but he became famous for his transition into socially conscious music, becoming a prominent voice in the 'Canção de Protesto' (Protest Song) and the Cinema Novo movement. His work often explored the struggles of the Brazilian people, blending sophisticated melodies with sharp political commentary. \n\n Throughout his career, Ricardo was known for his multidisciplinary talent as a composer, filmmaker, and actor. He achieved international acclaim for composing the iconic soundtrack to Glauber Rocha's 'Black God, White Devil'. Despite facing heavy censorship during the military dictatorship—which led to his classification as one of the 'malditos' (the cursed ones)—he remained a fierce advocate for artists' rights, co-founding SOMBRÁS. One of his most infamous moments occurred at the 1967 III Festival de Música Brasileira, where he broke his guitar and threw it into the audience after being booed, a defiant act against the commercialization and lack of understanding of his complex compositions. He maintained a lifelong friendship and collaboration with other masters such as João Gilberto and Chico Buarque.