Xangai

Origin

Itapebi, BA

Also known as

Eugênio Avelino

Years Active

1976

Genres

regional music, MPB, caipira music

Instruments

acoustic guitar, viola caipira, vocals

Biography

Xangai, artistic name of Eugênio Avelino, was born in Itapebi, Bahia, on March 20, 1948. The son and grandson of an accordionist, he spent part of his youth in Nanuque, Minas Gerais, and later settled in Vitória da Conquista. It was in this Bahian city that, still in his childhood, he met composer Elomar, a fundamental figure who exerted a strong musical influence on his artistic trajectory.

Throughout his career as a singer, songwriter, and viola player, Xangai established himself as one of the great names in Brazilian regional music and the caipira viola. He released landmark albums such as Acontecivento, his 1976 debut record, as well as important projects like the cantoria albums recorded alongside artists such as Geraldo Azevedo, Vital Farias, and Elomar himself. On television, he stood out by acting in the telenovela Velho Chico, and also made his mark on the radio with the program Brasilerança, on Rádio Educadora da Bahia.

In addition to his musical contribution, Xangai also got involved with cultural management when he was appointed Municipal Secretary of Culture, Tourism, Sports, and Leisure of Vitória da Conquista. His work moves through northeastern roots, rescuing incelenças, tiranas, and toadas from the backlands. Artists like Renato Teixeira and Waldick Soriano also crossed his path in partnerships and projects over the years.

Discography

• Acontecivento (1976)
• Qué Qui Tu Tem Canário (1981)
• Elomar - Geraldo Azevedo - Vital Farias - Xangai – Cantoria (1984)
• Mutirão da Vida (1984)
• Xangai Canta Cantigas, Incelenças, Puluxias e Tiranas de Elomar (1986)
• Elomar - Geraldo Azevedo - Vital Farias - Xangai – Cantoria 2 (1988)
• Elomar, Turibio Santos, Xangai , Participação Especial João Omar – Concerto Sertanez, Gravado Ao Vivo no Teatro Castro Alves, Dias 7, 8, 9 E 10 de Janeiro De 1988, Salvador (1988)
• Lua Cheia-Lua Nova (1990)
• Cantoria 2 (1990)
• Bahia de Todos os Cantos, "Dos Labutos" (1991)
• Renato Teixeira & Xangai – Aguaraterra (1996)
• Renato Teixeira, Xangai, Eugenio Leandro, Cida Moreira – Cantorias e Cantadores (1997)
• Um Abraço pra Ti Pequenina (1998)
• Xangai, Quinteto da Paraíba – Brasilerança (2001)
• Elomar, Pena Branca, Renato Teixeira, Teca Calazans, Xangai – Cantoria Brasileira (2002)
• Juraildes da Cruz e Xangai – Nóis É Jeca Mais É Jóia (2004)
• Eugenio Avelino (2005)
• Cantoria 1 (2007)
• Cantoria de Festa (2016)
• Xangai (2016)
• Cantingueiros (2020)