Biography
Monsueto experienced two distinct waves of recognition. Early in the 1950s he achieved notice through the compositions “Me Deixa em Paz,” “Mora na Filosofia,” “Mulher de Mau Pensar,” and “A Fonte Secou,” which Linda Batista and Marlene committed to disc. Maria Bethânia revisited “Mora na Filosofia” in 1966, and Caetano Veloso followed with his own version in 1971 while also cutting “Eu Quero Essa Mulher Assim Mesmo” two years later, thereby restoring the songwriter’s visibility among younger listeners. In 1972 Milton Nascimento joined Alaíde Costa for a recording of “Me Deixa em Paz,” and several further numbers appeared under the auspices of Martinho da Vila and MPB-4. Monsueto appeared on screen both as actor and vocalist in 13 Cadeiras alongside Oscarito in 1957 and in Na Corda Bamba the following year; additional songs of his surfaced in the soundtracks of O Cantor Milionário and Quem Roubou meu Samba? Touring with his own ensemble, he reached audiences across Latin America, North America, Europe, and Africa. From 1959 onward he also enjoyed wide popularity as the Comandante on the comedic television program Noites Cariocas. A painter drawn to social subjects, he received an award for one of his canvases at the Salão Nacional de Belas-Artes in Rio de Janeiro in 1972.
At fifteen he began drumming regularly at samba schools and continued to visit various ones throughout his life without pledging allegiance to any single group. Two years afterward he earned a living as a percussionist in gafieiras and nightclubs, serving at one point in the Orquestra de Copinha. Although he maintained a petit-bourgeois livelihood by running a laundry in Rio de Janeiro’s Vieira Fazenda suburb, he never withdrew from music and remained a steady presence at gathering spots favored by artists. During Carnival 1952 his first success arrived with “Me Deixa em Paz,” written with Airton Amorim and recorded by Linda Batista. Further hits followed: “A Fonte Secou,” composed with Tufi Lauar and Marcleo, was taken up by Raul Moreno for the 1954 festivities, while in 1955 Marlene released “Mora na Filosofia,” credited to Monsueto and Arnaldo Passos.
At fifteen he began drumming regularly at samba schools and continued to visit various ones throughout his life without pledging allegiance to any single group. Two years afterward he earned a living as a percussionist in gafieiras and nightclubs, serving at one point in the Orquestra de Copinha. Although he maintained a petit-bourgeois livelihood by running a laundry in Rio de Janeiro’s Vieira Fazenda suburb, he never withdrew from music and remained a steady presence at gathering spots favored by artists. During Carnival 1952 his first success arrived with “Me Deixa em Paz,” written with Airton Amorim and recorded by Linda Batista. Further hits followed: “A Fonte Secou,” composed with Tufi Lauar and Marcleo, was taken up by Raul Moreno for the 1954 festivities, while in 1955 Marlene released “Mora na Filosofia,” credited to Monsueto and Arnaldo Passos.
Albums
