Vinicius de Moraes

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Marcus Vinícius da Cruz de Mello Moraes, O Poetinha

Years Active

1928–1980

Genres

bossa nova, samba, MPB, afro-samba, choro

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Vinicius de Moraes, affectionately known as "O Poetinha" (The Little Poet), was a monumental figure in Brazilian culture, seamlessly bridging the gap between high literature and popular music. Born in Rio de Janeiro, his early life was shaped by a dual passion for poetry and music, leading him to study law and eventually join the diplomatic corps. His literary career began with mystical poetry in the 1930s, but it was his transition toward simpler, more sensual, and socially conscious themes that defined his lasting legacy.

His 1954 play, Orfeu da Conceição, served as the catalyst for one of the most important meetings in music history: his partnership with Tom Jobim. Together, they composed the foundation of Bossa Nova, including the world-renowned "Garota de Ipanema." Vinicius was instrumental in the movement's birth, particularly through the landmark album Canção do Amor Demais (1958) by Elizeth Cardoso, which featured the groundbreaking guitar style of João Gilberto.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Vinicius expanded his musical reach through legendary collaborations with Baden Powell, with whom he created the influential Afro-Sambas, and later with Toquinho, a partnership that lasted until his death in 1980. Despite being stripped of his diplomatic post by the military dictatorship in 1968 due to his bohemian lifestyle, Vinicius remained a beloved icon, continuing to perform and write across genres like samba and MPB alongside artists such as Chico Buarque and Carlos Lyra. His work remains a cornerstone of the Brazilian identity.

Discography

• Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes – Orfeu da Conceição (1956)
• Vinicius de Moraes, Paulo Mendes Campos – Poesias Vol. II (1957)
• Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes – Brasília - Sinfonia da Alvorada (1961)
• Vinicius & Odette Lara (1963)
• Vinicius / Caymmi com o Quarteto em Cy e o Conjunto Oscar Castro Neves – No Zum Zum (1965)
• Baden e Vinicius – Os Afro Sambas (1966)
• Vinícius: Poesia e Canção (1966)
• Vinícius: Poesia e Canção Vol. II (1966)
• Vinícius, Poesia e Canção (Ao Vivo) [Vol. I] (1966)
• Vinicius de Moraes, Giuseppe Ungaretti, Sergio Endrigo – La Vita, Amico, È L'Arte Dell'Incontro (1969)
• Em Portugal (1969)
• Amália Rodrigues, Vinicius de Moraes – Amália/Vinicius (1970)
• Vinicius de Moraes Con Maria Creuza Y Toquinho – Vinicius de Moraes En "La Fusa" (1970)
• La Fusa (Live) (1970)
• Vinicius de Moraes en Argentina (1970)
• Vinicius + Bethania + Toquinho – En La Fusa (Mar Del Plata) (1971)
• Vinicius, Marilia Medalha, Toquinho – Como Dizia O Poeta... (1971)
• Toquinho e Vinícius (1971)
• Vinicius Canta "Nossa Filha Gabriela" (1972)
• L'arca (1972)
• Marilia Vinicius (1972)
• São Demais os Perigos Desta Vida (1972)
• Saravá Vinicius (ao Vivo em São Paulo 1974) (1974)
• Toquinho, Vinicius & Amigos (1974)
• O Poeta e o Violão (1975)
• Ornella Vanoni - Vinicius de Moraes - Toquinho – La Voglia La Pazzia L'Incoscienza L'Allegria (1976)
• Tom - Vinicius - Toquinho - Miucha – Gravado Ao Vivo no Canecão (1977)
• Antologia Poética (1977)
• Poeta Y Amigo (1980)
• Um Pouco de Ilusão (1980)
• A Arca de Noé (1981)
• Vinicius de Moraes & Carlos Drummond de Andrade – Vinicius & Drummond (1981)
• Testamento... (1981)
• Baden Powell e Vinicius de Moraes – Brani Rari e Inediti (1982)
• Vinícius, Quarteto em Cy e Toquinho – Antologia (Gravado Ao Vivo em Homenagem Aos 3 Pablos: Picasso, Casals e Neruda) (1983)
• A música e a poesia de Vinicius - Volume 3 (1987)
• Joyce, Vinicius de Moraes – Negro Demais no Coração (1988)
• Vinicius de Moraes (1988)
• Maria Creuza (1989)
• Vinicius, Clara, Toquinho – Poeta, Moça e Violão (1991)
• Vinicius, Toquinho & Mais Amigos (1991)
• Vinicius de Moraes, Maria Creuza, Toquinho – Vinicius de Moraes - El Poeta de La Bossa Nova (1995)
• Tom Canta Vinicius (2000)
• Jobim, Vinicius, Toquinho Con Miùcha – I Concerti Live @ RTSI - 18 Ottobre 1978 (2002)
• Mulher & Poesia por Vinicius de Moraes (2002)
• Patrizia Del Vasco Canta Vinicius de Moraes – Valsa de Euridice (2007)
• Moça, Poeta e Violão (2008)
• A Arca de Noé (2013)
• De Moraes, Vinicius (2013)
• De Vinicius e Baden Powell Especialmente para Ciro Monteiro (2013)
• Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, João Gilberto, os Cariocas – Um Encontro no Au Bon Gourmet (2015)
• FOTOGRAFIA (2019)
• Canções de Amor (2023)
• Claudio Santoro & Vinicius de Moraes - Aldo Baldin, Lilian Barretto – Prelúdios e Canções de Amor
• Wilson Mauro, Trio Copacabana, Vinicius de Moraes – Ao Meu Amigo Vinícius