Valdemar Silva

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Valdemar Moniz da Silva

Years Active

1933

Genres

samba, marcha, samba-canção

Instruments

percussionist

Biography

Valdemar Moniz da Silva, artistically known as Valdemar Silva, was a Brazilian composer and percussionist, born in Rio de Janeiro on October 23, 1911 and passed away in the same city on June 12, 1990. Raised in a musical environment, his grandmother, Serafina Lopes Faria, played the accordion and sang jongo, influencing his early contacts with art.

Silva began his artistic activities in 1933, introducing himself to Henrique Vogeler through Getúlio Marinho (Amor). His first recording was "Até dormindo sorriste", in partnership with Amor. In the same year, Moreira da Silva recorded the samba "Homem não chora". Starting in 1934, Valdemar Silva worked as a percussionist on several recordings, consolidating his presence in the Rio de Janeiro music scene.

Throughout his career, Valdemar Silva composed sambas and marches, having Roberto Martins as one of his main partners. His biggest hit was the samba "Favela", a partnership with Roberto Martins, recorded by Francisco Alves in 1936 and which became a classic of Brazilian popular music, re-recorded by various artists such as Carlos Galhardo, Silvio Caldas and Maysa. Other notable compositions include "Tic-tac", "Muito chorei" and "Imperador do samba", the latter recorded by Carmen Miranda.