Luiz Carlos da Vila

Originating from the working-class suburb of Ramos, Luís Carlos daVila earned the title “the poet of the vilas” by chronicling daily life in Vila Isabel, Vila Kennedy, and Vila da Penha. He completed eight accordion lessons and taught himself the violão. During the ’70s he regularly joined the bloco Cacique de Ramos, performing and singing his own material. His debut solo album, Luís Carlos da Vila, appeared on RCA in 1983. He co-wrote the samba-enredo “Kizomba: a Festa da Raça” with Jonas and Rodolfo; the song propelled Unidos de Vila Isabel to its first Carnival victory in 1988. Nosso Samba later included his composition “Graça do Mundo” in its repertoire. Beth Carvalho, Simone, Fundo de Quintal, and Zeca Pagodinho have all recorded his songs; her version of “Além da Razão” received the 1988 Sharp award for best samba. In 1997 he issued Uma Festa No Samba, which brought attention to “O Sonho Não Acabou,” a tribute to Candeia, along with “Nas Veias do Brasil,” “Herança,” and “Além da Razão.” The following year he released A Luz do Vencedor on CPC-Umes, an album devoted to Candeia’s repertoire. In addition to his numerous solo projects, he appeared on the 1999 anthology Esquina Carioca alongside Beth Carvalho, Walter Alfaiate, João Nogueira, Ivone Lara, and Moacyr Luz.