Severino Filho

Origin

Belém, PA

Genres

mpb, bossa nova

Instruments

piano, vocals

Biography

Severino Filho was a prominent Brazilian musician, arranger, singer, composer, and instrumentalist, best known as the founder of the legendary vocal and instrumental group Os Cariocas. Born in Belém, he moved with his family to Rio de Janeiro at a very young age, where he would eventually help shape the sound of Brazilian popular music. Alongside his brother Ismael Netto, he established Os Cariocas in 1942, setting the foundation for a career that spanned decades and defined vocal harmony in the country. He also studied under the renowned maestro Hans-Joachim Koellreutter, earning his maestro certification at just nineteen years old.

Throughout his career with Os Cariocas, Severino Filho served as the group's first voice, arranger, and later as its pianist starting in 1956. The ensemble achieved widespread fame in 1948 with their hit single "Adeus, América" and later participated in the historic 1962 concert "O Encontro" at the Au Bon Gourmet nightclub in Rio de Janeiro, sharing the stage with icons like Tom Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, and João Gilberto. His sophisticated arrangements became a trademark of the group, heavily influencing the bossa nova movement and subsequent generations of Brazilian artists.

Severino Filho passed away in March 2016 in Rio de Janeiro following complications from a pulmonary thrombosis and subsequent health struggles. His legacy endures through his vast contributions to MPB and the enduring catalog of Os Cariocas. He is also remembered in the artistic world as the father of actress Lúcia Veríssimo, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage in Brazilian music and arts.