Sylvia Telles

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Sylvinha, Silvia Teles, Silvia Telles, Sylvia D'Atri Telles

Years Active

1954–1966

Genres

bossa nova, MPB, samba

Instruments

voice

Biography

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Sylvia Telles, affectionately known as Sylvinha, was one of the fundamental voices for the consolidation of bossa nova and modern Brazilian music. Raised in a musical environment, she initially dreamed of being a ballerina, but soon discovered her vocal talent. She was introduced to the artistic milieu by Billy Blanco and mentored by the guitarist Garoto, who helped her secure her first jobs in Rio nightclubs. In 1955, her participation in the musical 'Gente bem e champanhota' earned her the revelation singer award and a contract with the Odeon record label.

Sylvia played a central role in the birth of bossa nova. She participated in the historic show 'Carlos Lyra, Sylvia Telles e os seus Bossa nova', an event where the term that named the movement was used publicly for the first time. Throughout her career, she became one of the greatest interpreters of Tom Jobim's compositions, with whom she maintained a great artistic affinity, recording entire albums dedicated to the maestro's work. Her personal life was also marked by ties to music, having dated João Gilberto and been married to musician Candinho (with whom she had her daughter Cláudia Telles) and to producer Aloysio de Oliveira.

With a rising international career, which included tours in the United States and Europe and recordings for the American label Kapp Records, Sylvia had her trajectory tragically interrupted. In December 1966, at age 32, the singer died in a car accident in Maricá, Rio de Janeiro. She left a legacy of sophistication and smoothness that influenced generations of Brazilian female singers, being remembered as the 'first lady' of bossa nova.

Discography

• Carícia (1957)
• Silvia (1958)
• Amor de Gente Moça (Musicas de Antonio Carlos Jobim) (1959)
• Amor em Hi-Fi (1960)
• U.S.A. (1961)
• We Love You Dindi! (1962)
• We Love You Dindi...And We Love Tom Too! (1962)
• Bossa Balanço Balada (1963)
• Sylvia Telles, Lúcio Alves, Roberto Menescal e Seu Conjunto – Bossa Session (1964)
• The Music Of Mr. Jobim By Sylvia Telles (1965)
• It Might As Well Be Spring (1966)
• Sylvia Telles / Edu Lobo / Trio Tamba / Quinteto Villa-Lobos – Reencontro (1966)
• Rosinha de Valenca, Sylvia Telles, Edu Lobo, Salvador Trio Feat. Sergio e Chico Batera, J.T. Meirelles, Rubens Bassini, Jorge Arena – Folklore e Bossa Nova do Brasil (1967)
• Para Sempre Silvinha, Vol. 2 (1967)
• Pure Bossa Nova (2005)
• Sábado em Copacabana (2021)
• Os Dourados Anos 50 (2021)
• Sylvia canta Tom (2023)
• Só em Teus Braços - Cozy Bossa Nova For Sweater Weather (2024)