Trio Irakitan

Origin

Natal, RN

Also known as

Trio Muirakitan

Years Active

1950–2010s

Genres

bolero, samba, MPB

Instruments

acoustic guitar, vocals, percussion

Biography

Trio Irakitan was a renowned Brazilian vocal and instrumental ensemble formed in 1950 by Edison Reis de França (Edinho), Paulo Gilvan Duarte Bezerril, and João Manoel de Araújo Costa Netto (Joãozinho). Initially named Trio Muirakitan at the suggestion of Luís da Câmara Cascudo, the group adopted the neologism Irakitan after discovering that another formation already existed with the original name. Throughout decades of trajectory, the ensemble became notable for its refined vocal harmonies and striking interpretations of boleros and sambas, achieving great popularity in the country's musical scene.

The history of the group went through moments of profound upheaval, such as the tragedy that occurred in 1965 which led to Edinho's passing and a temporary suspension of activities. The ensemble returned to the stages and studios in 1967 with the arrival of maestro Antônio Santos Cunha, known as Tony, marking a new phase with the release of the album "A volta". In its long discography, Trio Irakitan dialogued with various styles and collaborated with important names in Brazilian music, including recordings that ranged from traditional romantic repertoire to compositions by tropicalia icons like Gilberto Gil.

The group remained active through successive line-up renewals over the following decades, featuring the stints of musicians such as Edil, Edilson Andrade, and Josias. With a solid recording career full of LPs and CDs released by labels like Odeon and RCA, the trio established itself as one of the most enduring and respected vocal institutions in the history of Brazilian popular music, sharing aesthetic references with classic formations like Tamba Trio and Trio de Ouro.

Discography

• Tres Vozes que Encantam (1955)
• Lendas e Pregões do Brasil (1956)
• Canções para Crianças De 6 A 60 (1957)
• Os Sambas que Gostamos de Cantar (1957)
• Os Boleros que Gostamos de Cantar (1959)
• Outros Sambas que Gostamos de Cantar (1959)
• As Vozes e o Ritmo do Trio Irakitan (1959)
• Sempre Alerta (1960)
• Dez Anos de Sucesso do Trio Irakitan (1960)
• Nossa Casa de Cha Cha Cha (1961)
• Outros Boleros que Gostamos de Cantar (1961)
• Gregorio Barrios & Trio Irakitan (1961)
• Mais Sambas que Gostamos de Cantar (1961)
• Nos Gostamos de Cantar Sambas (1962)
• Mais uma Vez Boleros (1963)
• Trio Irakitan (1963)
• A Bossa que Gostamos de Cantar (1964)
• Boleros e Vozes que Agradam Milhões (1964)
• A Volta (1967)
• Tira-Teima (1968)
• Noche de Ronda (1969)
• Para Crianças De 6 A 60 (1969)
• Canta O Sucesso (1969)
• Sempre O Bolero (1970)
• Os Sucessos que Gostamos de Cantar - Vol. 1 (1972)
• Carimbó - O Balanço da Selva (1974)
• Eternamente (1976)
• Os Boleros que Gostamos de Cantar Vol. II (1980)
• Sempre Românticos (1981)
• Músicas que Arrepiam (1981)
• Você É Muito Mais.. (1984)
• Quantos Momentos Bonitos (1985)
• Interamericana Seguros Ritmos Interamericanos (1989)
• Boleros que Arrepiam (1990)
• Grandes Momentos (1991)
• Malagueña (1992)
• De Coração a Coração (1993)
• Malaguena- Latin Love Songs (1996)
• Nova Bis (2005)
• Boleros com Trio Irakitan e Los Pregoneros (2017)
• Perfidia (2021)
• Contigo na distância (2021)
• Folclore Brasileiro - Musicas Tradicionais Do Brasil (2022)
• Todo Samba! (2023)
• Boleros em Dueto (2025)
• Boleros (Explode Coração 50 Anos de Boa Música)