Djavan stands among Brazil’s most accomplished composers and vocalists, boasting a substantial body of recorded work. Global recognition has carried him to elite performance spaces on multiple continents, while his compositions have been interpreted by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the Manhattan Transfer and, within Brazil, by Gal Costa, Paralamas do Sucesso, Ed Motta, Leila Pinheiro, Chico César, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Rosa Passos, Lenine, Elba Ramalho, João Bosco, Zélia Duncan, Leny Andrade, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Jane Duboc, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Beth Carvalho, João Donato, Joyce, Johnny Alf, and additional interpreters.
Music first reached him through his mother, whose influence introduced the dense traditions of northeastern Brazilian folklore. Only at sixteen did he begin teaching himself the violão. After leaving school he took on assorted modest jobs. Still in his native city he assembled the ensemble LSD (Luz, Som, Dimensão), which performed Beatles material in any available space for modest pay. Upon relocating to Rio in 1973 he met fellow northeasterner Edson Mauro, then a sports announcer at Rádio Globo, who connected him with Adelzon Alves; Alves in turn presented Djavan to Som Livre producer João Mello. Within a month Som Livre engaged him to sing on telenovela soundtracks, resulting in the recordings “Qual é” (Marcos and Paulo Sérgio Valle) for Ossos do Barão, “Presunçosa” (Antônio Carlos and Jocafi) for Super Manuela, “Calmaria e Vendaval” (Toquinho and Vinicius) for Fogo sobre terra, and “Alegre Menina” (Dori Caymmi and Jorge Amado) for Gabriela. He also contributed to various chart compilations by performing songs written by others. To supplement his income he spent four years as a crooner at the Number One and 706 nightclubs until his songwriting career opened.
Entry into that career arrived via TV Globo’s 1975 festival Abertura, where his composition “Abertura” earned second place. Four months afterward his debut single appeared, containing “E que Deus Ajude,” “Um Dia,” “Rei do Mar,” and “Fato Consumado.” The following year he issued his first album, A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan (Som Livre), which included “Fato Consumado,” “E que Deus Ajude,” “Pára Raio,” “Maria Mercedes,” “Na Boca do Beco,” “Ventos do Norte,” “Magia,” “Muito Obrigado,” “Maçã do Rosto,” “Embola Bola,” “Quantas Voltas dá o Mundo,” and “Flor de Lis,” the last of which became a lasting success. Shortly thereafter he presented a three-month solo engagement at the 706 nightclub. He next cut a single arranged by João Donato featuring “É hora” and “Romeiros,” then departed Som Livre for Odeon. Under that label he released Djavan (1979), Alumbramento (1980), and Seduzir (1981). In 1982 he moved to CBS and recorded Luz in the United States under Ronnie Foster’s production; there he established ties with Quincy Jones, who acquired publishing rights to numerous Djavan works through the composer’s own company, Luanda. Stevie Wonder appeared as a guest on the album. In 1984 Djavan issued Lilás, whose international textures reflect production assistance from Eric Bulling. That same year he contributed to the film Para Viver um Grande Amor (Miguel Faria, Jr.). Subsequent releases comprised Brazilian Knights and a Lady (1985), Meu Lado (1986), Não é Azul mas é Mar (1987), and Bird of Paradise (1988). In 1989 he issued Djavan, which featured flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia on “Oceano,” a track later placed in a major telenovela. Further albums followed: Puzzle of Hearts (1990), Coisa de acender (1991, containing the Caetano Veloso collaboration “Linha do Equador”), and Novena (1994). Malásia appeared in 1996 and incorporated Tom Jobim’s “Correnteza,” selected for a prime-time soap opera; Bicho Solto – o 13o. followed in 1998. The 1999 double live set Ao Vivo sold 1.2 million copies and earned Djavan his first Diamond Record. He received three Multishow awards—Best CD, Best Show, and Best Singer—determined by viewer vote. Tributes arrived through the series Talento Brasileiro and three Lumiar Songbooks presenting his material performed by Gal Costa, Paralamas do Sucesso, Ed Motta, Cláudio Zolli, Ângela Ro Ro, Leila Pinheiro, Garganta Profunda, Chico César, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Rosa Passos, Rosana, Orlando Morais, Lenine, Paulinho Moska, Elba Ramalho, João Bosco, Zélia Duncan, Cidade Negra, Sandra de Sá, Leny Andrade, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Jane Duboc, Zé Ricardo, Personagens, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Beth Carvalho, João Donato, Daúde, Joyce, Johnny Alf, Eduardo Dusek, Be Happy, Fátima Guedes, and Clara Sandroni. The next year Djavan received the Grammy for Best Brazilian Song for “Acelerou” at the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards.
