Valfrido Silva

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Valfrido Pereira da Silva

Years active

1916–1972

Genres

samba, choro, marchinha, fox-blue, baião

Instruments

drums, piano

Biography

Valfrido Pereira da Silva, known professionally as Valfrido Silva, was a prominent Brazilian drummer and composer born in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 1904. He passed away on January 6, 1972, in Niterói. Silva's musical journey began in his youth when he moved to Niterói and started studying the drums in 1916 with Carlos Eckardt, later refining his skills with Augusto Lima. His professional career took flight in 1917, performing in orchestras that accompanied operettas and provided musical scores for silent films.

Silva's career spanned various iconic venues in Rio de Janeiro, including the Cassino Assírio, Cabaré Beira-Mar, Dancing Avenida, and the Orquestra do Cassino Atlântico. He was a key figure in the studio ensembles Grupo da Guarda Velha and Os Diabos do Céu, which recorded for RCA Victor. Notably, Valfrido Silva holds the distinction of being the first Brazilian drummer to have his name registered on a record, for his performance on "Preludiando" in 1934. His compositional talents also flourished, with notable collaborations with artists like Gadé, Noel Rosa, and Almirante. His samba "O tic-tac do meu coração" gained international recognition when it was recorded by Carmen Miranda and featured in the American film "A minha secretária brasileira."

Beyond his instrumental and compositional work, Valfrido Silva was deeply involved in the administrative side of the music industry. He was a member of SBAT and later UBC, and in 1946, he co-founded SBACEM (Sociedade Brasileira de Autores, Compositores e Escritores de Música), where he held significant leadership roles. His legacy as a pioneering drummer and a prolific composer cemented his place in the history of Brazilian popular music.