Sônia Carvalho

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Sônia de Carvalho

Years Active

1930–1937

Genres

samba, marcha

Instruments

voice

Biography

Sônia Carvalho, born Maria de Nazaré Reis on February 27, 1914, in São Paulo, was a Brazilian singer who emerged in the 1930s. Her artistic career began in the early 30s, performing on radio stations such as Educadora Paulista and Record. In 1934, she recorded her first record with Odeon, featuring the marcha "Beijos" and the samba "Vejo o céu todo estrelado".

Her voice bore a remarkable similarity to Carmen Miranda's, which earned her the nickname "A Outra Pequena Notável" (The Other Little Notable). This vocal similarity, combined with her talent, made her stand out in the musical scene of the era. She recorded with prominent names such as Benedito Lacerda and his regional ensemble, and had her own compositions, such as "A vida é um samba".

Throughout her short yet intense career, Sônia Carvalho released around ten 78 rpm records with labels like Odeon, Victor, and Columbia. Her last phonographic recording dates back to 1937. She passed away on May 11, 1988, in Taubaté, São Paulo, leaving behind a legacy of recordings that represent an important record of Brazilian popular music from the 1930s.