The Jet Black's

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

The Jet Blacks

Years Active

1961–2004

Genres

rock, pop rock, instrumental rock, jovem guarda

Instruments

guitar, electric guitar, drums, bass, saxophone, keyboards

Biography

The Jet Black's was a pioneering Brazilian rock band formed in São Paulo in 1961, initially under the name The Vampires. Founded by guitarists Joe Primo and Bobby de Carlo, the group changed their name to honor the English instrumental rock band The Shadows. Influenced heavily by both The Shadows and the American group The Ventures, they became famous for performing energetic instrumental rock and twist tunes for dances.

Throughout the 1960s, the band emerged as one of the most sought-after backing groups in Brazil, supporting major icons of the Jovem Guarda movement such as Roberto Carlos, Celly Campelo, Ronnie Cord, and Sérgio Reis. They released numerous instrumental albums before transitioning into vocal tracks in the mid-1960s, scoring major hits like their version of "Tema para jovens enamorados" and "Suzie Q". Despite facing a decline and various lineup shifts following the fading of the Jovem Guarda era, the band experienced several revivals in the decades that followed, recording new material and celebrating the legacy of 1960s Brazilian rock until the passing of long-standing drummer Jurandi Trindade in 2004.

The band's enduring legacy remains cemented in Brazilian music history as one of the very first instrumental rock ensembles in the country. They released over a dozen studio albums and participated in numerous historic recordings and television programs associated with the Jovem Guarda, leaving an indelible mark on the development of Brazilian rock and pop music. Their style influenced many subsequent instrumental rock groups across Brazil.

Discography

• Twist (1962)
• Again Twist (1963)
• Other Famous Twists (1963)
• Hully Gully (1964)
• The Best Sellers (1964)
• Top Top Top (1965)
• The Jet Black's (1966)
• Temas de Sempre na Música Jovem (1967)
• Reginaldo Rossi com The Jet Black's – O Quente (1968)
• Sempre (1968)
• Nostalgia para Jovens Namorados (1975)
• Remember The Shadows & The Ventures (1988)
• Golden Hits Of The 60's (1989)
• Instrumental (2003)