Sivan Castelo Neto

Origin

Campinas, SP

Also known as

Ulysses Lelot Filho, Navis

Years active

1920–1984

Genres

mpb, waltz, bolero, samba, choro, baião

Instruments

violin, piano

Biography

Sivan Castelo Neto, born Ulysses Lelot Filho, was a prominent Brazilian composer, instrumentalist, and advertising professional. He was born in Campinas, São Paulo, on May 27, 1904, and passed away in Rio de Janeiro on February 28, 1984. His musical journey began in 1920 in São Paulo, where he received early tutelage from his cousin, Professor Emílio Vautier, and studied harmony with Savino de Benedictis. He further honed his skills on the violin with Torquato Amore and was a self-taught pianist and orchestrator.

Castelo Neto's career spanned various facets of the music industry. As a violinist, he performed in orchestras for several cinemas in São Paulo and was a member of the orchestra at Teatro Santana. He also served as the artistic director for Rádio Educadora Paulista and Rádio Bandeirantes. His compositional work gained recognition, with songs interpreted by artists such as Jorge Fernandes, Orlando Silva, and Leny Eversong. His waltz "Se ela perguntar" was a significant success after being recorded by Gastão Formenti in 1931, and his "Valsa de Natal" won first place in a Christmas music contest in 1953.

Beyond his musical compositions, Sivan Castelo Neto was a pioneer in the field of advertising jingles in Brazil. From 1950 to 1963, he ran his own advertising studio, writing and recording hundreds of jingles. He also utilized the pseudonym "Navis" for some of his works. His legacy includes a diverse catalog of compositions, ranging from waltzes and boleros to sambas, reflecting his versatility as a musician and his significant contribution to Brazilian popular music and advertising.