Turma do Sereno

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1948

Genres

choro, instrumental, samba

Instruments

clarinet, violin, flute, bass clarinet, guitar, cavaquinho

Biography

Turma do Sereno was an instrumental group formed in 1948 by producer Paulo Tapajós for the "Turma do Sereno" program on Rádio Nacional. The ensemble was composed of highly skilled instrumentalists, including Abel Ferreira on clarinet, Irany Pinto on violin, João de Deus on flute, Sandoval Dias on bass clarinet, Carlos Lentini and Rubem Bergman on guitars, and Waldemar de Melo on cavaquinho. The group aimed to evoke the atmosphere of street serenades, playing choro, waltzes, and modinhas, and reviving older genres like xotes and maxixes.

Paulo Tapajós described the group's concept as a reunion of friends on a street corner playing music, bringing vitality to the solo musicians of Rádio Nacional who were often relegated to the orchestra's background. Turma do Sereno recorded two albums for Continental, featuring songs like "Se querem eu choro" and "Lua branca" in 1951, and "Flor do mal" and "Saudades de Varginha" in 1952. The group disbanded with the end of the radio program.

Although the original Turma do Sereno was short-lived, its legacy is tied to the preservation and performance of traditional Brazilian popular music. The name "Turma do Sereno" has also been associated with other musical projects and groups over the years, reflecting the enduring appeal of the serenade and choro traditions in Brazil.