Zilah Machado

Origin

Porto Alegre, RS

Also known as

Zila Machado

Years active

1960s–2010s

Genres

samba, MPB, chorinho, marcha-rancho, ijexá, samba de roda

Instruments

vocals, percussion

Biography

Maria Zilah Machado, born in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, on April 13, 1928, was a prominent Brazilian singer, songwriter, and percussionist. Despite a humble upbringing, her musical talent was evident from a young age, recognized by her neighbor and musical godfather, Lupicínio Rodrigues, who famously predicted she would be a singer because she "cries in tune." Although her mother wished for her to become a teacher, Zilah's passion for music led her to study classical singing for eleven years with Maestro Roberto Eggers. However, she faced significant racial prejudice in the classical music world, which, coupled with financial difficulties, led her to abandon that path. She found her true calling in samba and popular music.

In the 1960s, Machado embarked on an international career, touring Argentina and Mexico with Maestro Délcio Vieira's orchestra. Upon returning to Brazil, she gained recognition in Porto Alegre, even winning a contest to replace Elis Regina on Rádio Gaúcha. Her career trajectory included periods of struggle, such as working as a laundress in Rio de Janeiro while pursuing musical opportunities. She eventually secured a contract with TV Globo, performing music by Lupicínio Rodrigues and others. Machado released several albums throughout her career, including "Já se dança samba como antigamente" (1979), "Lupiciana" (1988), "Passageira da Nave dos Sonhos" (2000), and "Ziriguidum" (2009), showcasing her own compositions and her deep connection to samba.

Zilah Machado is remembered as a pioneering artist who overcame significant economic and racial barriers to establish herself as a respected voice in Brazilian popular music, particularly in the samba scene of Southern Brazil. Her legacy includes over 200 original compositions and a career that spanned decades, earning her accolades such as the Prêmio Açorianos de Música in 2010 for her body of work. She passed away on January 7, 2011, in Porto Alegre, leaving behind a rich musical heritage.