Sulino e Marrueiro

Origin

Penápolis, SP

Years Active

1949–1978

Genres

sertanejo raiz, moda de viola, música caipira, canção rancheira

Instruments

viola caipira, cavaquinho

Biography

Sulino and Marrueiro were a highly influential Brazilian musical duo, celebrated for their significant contributions to the sertanejo raiz (traditional country music) genre. Formed in the late 1940s, the duo consisted of Francisco Gottardi, known as Sulino, and João Rosante, known as Marrueiro. They rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, becoming pioneers in various aspects of Brazilian country music.

Their career began with the formation of the Trio Campeiro in 1945, which later evolved into the duo Sulino and Marrueiro in 1949. They made their recording debut with the song "Morena de Olhos Pretos" in 1949. The duo was groundbreaking in several ways: they were among the first sertanejo artists to perform on national television, appearing on the "Brasil Caboclo" program in 1952. Furthermore, they were the first sertanejo duo to record for the Chantecler label in 1958, releasing the hit "A Volta do Boiadeiro." Their discography is extensive, featuring 36 78rpm records and 41 LPs, including popular songs like "Abismo Cruel," "Mandamentos do Chofer," and "Sete Léguas."

Sulino and Marrueiro were also instrumental in popularizing new genres within Brazilian music, notably the "canção rancheira," a Mexican-influenced style that became a hit across Brazil. Despite their versatility, they remained deeply rooted in the moda de viola tradition, a style of folk music characterized by narrative lyrics and the use of the viola caipira (a Brazilian 10-string guitar). Their legacy is immense, influencing generations of sertanejo artists and solidifying their place as "The Magnates of Sertanejo Song." The duo's partnership concluded with Marrueiro's death in 1978, though Sulino continued his musical career.