Banda Beijo

Members of the Bloco Beijo, a festive collective of Carnival revelers known as foliões in Salvador, Bahia, established the Banda Beijo, with Luís Caldas and Jorge Zarath among its participants. The group assembled in 1988 under Netinho’s leadership to supply the soundtrack for the bloco’s celebrations and issued its debut album Prove Beijo the same year. Seven further releases appeared through 2000, fusing axé music with pop and rock. National recognition arrived in 1992 as the band toured other Brazilian states and played micaretas, those carnivals staged throughout the year, paving the way for Netinho’s own highly successful solo career the following year. He remained the ensemble’s leader until 1998, when female vocalist Gil assumed the front position.