Trio Abc da Portela

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1960s–1970s

Genres

samba

Biography

The Trio ABC da Portela was a prominent Brazilian samba ensemble formed in Rio de Janeiro during the 1960s by Colombo, Noca da Portela, and Picolino da Portela. Brought together through their affiliation with the legendary Portela samba school after Noca joined its composers' wing in 1966 at the invitation of Paulinho da Viola, the group quickly gained recognition for their traditional sambas and charismatic performances. They became successful figures in the carioca music scene, appearing frequently on popular television variety shows hosted by figures like Chacrinha and Flávio Cavalcante, animating carnival balls, and releasing several compact records.

In 1967, the ensemble achieved significant acclaim by participating in the II Concurso de Música de Carnaval, promoted by the Secretariat of Tourism and the Museu da Imagem e do Som. Outperforming thousands of entries, they successfully qualified two songs for the finals: "É Bom Assim" and "Portela Querida." The latter secured fifth place in the competition and was notably recorded by the iconic Elza Soares, who won the Golden Carmen Miranda trophy for her performance. Throughout their trajectory, the group also collaborated with other notable artists and underwent lineup changes, welcoming members such as Edir Gomes to replace Picolino.

The ensemble reached another major milestone in 1976 with a revised lineup, winning the Portela carnival anthem competition with the composition "O Homem do Pacoval." Despite enjoying a decade of considerable success, performing across theaters and radio broadcasts throughout Rio de Janeiro, the group eventually disbanded. Their legacy remains deeply intertwined with the golden age of Portela's composer wing, echoing the historical traditions of carioca samba alongside contemporaries like Zé Keti.