Biography
Alvaiade ranks among the defining figures in Portela’s long trajectory. His refined output includes the sambas “Marinheiro de Primeira Viagem,” “Banco do Réu,” and “Embrulho Que Eu Carrego,” each written with Djalma Mafra, together with “Briga de Amor,” “Eu Não Sou Marinheiro,” “Chega,” “A Saudade Me Devora,” “Pensando No Futuro,” “O Que Vier Eu Traço,” and “Concurso para Enfarte.” Recordings of his work have been made by Jorge Veiga and Elizeth Cardoso. The piece “Vida de Fidalga,” created with Chico Santana, appeared on the 1970 album Portela Passado de Glória and stands among the school’s most emblematic compositions. Paulo da Portela brought him into the group in 1928; at that stage he was not yet writing sambas and instead supplied cavaquinho accompaniment while also handling an array of percussion instruments. His debut composition, “O Que Vier Eu Traço” (with Zé Maria), was later captured by Elizeth Cardoso. Roughly six years afterward, Portela first took one of his sambas into the parade. Throughout this period Alvaiade worked closely alongside Paulo da Portela, stepping in during the latter’s absences, particularly when Paulo traveled to São Paulo to appear with Cartola and Heitor dos Prazeres. For nearly two decades he served as chefe de conjunto, performing functions comparable to those of the diretor de harmonia, and he introduced the public to the emerging talents of Valter Rosa, Chico Santana, Manacéia, Candeia, and additional composers.