Vó Maria

Origin

Mendes, RJ

Also known as

Maria das Dores Santos Conceição

Years Active

2003–2015

Genres

samba, maxixe, choro, MPB

Instruments

voice

Biography

Maria das Dores Santos Conceição, known as Vó Maria, was born in Mendes, in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, on May 5, 1911. As a child, she moved to Rio de Janeiro, where she befriended important intellectuals and leaders of the Brazilian Black movement, such as Abdias do Nascimento and Haroldo Costa, as well as composers like Pixinguinha and João da Baiana. Her home became a meeting point for artists and intellectuals, especially during her marriage to samba pioneer Mestre Donga.

Vó Maria dedicated herself more intensely to Brazilian Popular Music after Donga's passing in 1974. At the age of 92, in 2003, she released her first album, "Maxixe não é Samba", produced by Ricardo Cravo Albin, in which she reinterpreted works by masters such as Heitor dos Prazeres, Sinhô, and Noel Rosa. Her musical career was marked by appearances on radio and television programs, and she was on the cover of Carioquice magazine in 2014, celebrating her 103rd birthday.

Recognized for her cultural importance, Vó Maria received the Pedro Ernesto Medal from the Rio de Janeiro City Council and the Order of Cultural Merit from the Ministry of Culture. She passed away on May 16, 2015, at the age of 104, leaving a legacy of joy and the preservation of Brazilian culture. Her career, which began late in the recording industry, is a testament to her passion for music and the history of samba.

Discography

• Maxixe Não É Samba (2003)