Biography
Newton Teixeira, the brother of acoustic guitarist Valzinho, earned recognition as both composer and instrumentalist whose durable works found their way to leading vocalists of the era. He began formal training on mandolin at age ten under Chico Neto, then took up the violão four years later. His debut composition, the 1933 song “Tudo Me Fala do Teu Olhar” written with Cristóvão de Alencar, was introduced by Sílvio Caldas; Francisco Alves followed with the second piece, “Ela Disse Adeus,” also co-credited to Cristóvão de Alencar, in 1936. The 1938 release “A Deusa da Minha Rua,” again interpreted by Sílvio Caldas and featuring lyrics by Jorge Faraj, became one of Teixeira’s signature successes, soon matched by the equally popular “Errei, Erramos.”
Prior to turning professional, Teixeira provided violão support for such established voices as Francisco Alves, João Petra de Barros, Sílvio Caldas, and Orlando Silva, the last of whom cut numerous Teixeira numbers, among them the 1940 march “Mal-me-quer” composed with Cristóvão de Alencar. As a vocalist he himself recorded “Quando Eu For Bem Velhinho” by Lupicínio Rodrigues and Felisberto Martins, backed by Orlando Silva and Sílvio Caldas, and subsequently issued the titles “Você Não Tem Palavra,” “Onde Estás,” “Não Troquemos de Mal,” “Se Alguém Disse,” and “N-a-o-til, Não.”
His broadcasting career opened at Rádio Guanabara in 1937, where he remained through 1939 while also performing with the station’s regional ensemble; he then moved to Rádio Tupi until 1943. In 1949 he joined Rádio Jornal do Brasil, staying until 1952, after which he spent three years at Rádio Nacional before withdrawing from regular radio work in 1955, appearing only for occasional broadcasts thereafter. A 1964 Chantecler album titled A Volta do Seresteiro marked his return to recording, and five years later the marcha-rancho “Avenida Iluminada (Lágrimas de um Coração),” written with Brasinha, scored another hit when Zé Keti placed it second in a contest sponsored by Rio de Janeiro’s tourism bureau during the 1969 carnival.
Prior to turning professional, Teixeira provided violão support for such established voices as Francisco Alves, João Petra de Barros, Sílvio Caldas, and Orlando Silva, the last of whom cut numerous Teixeira numbers, among them the 1940 march “Mal-me-quer” composed with Cristóvão de Alencar. As a vocalist he himself recorded “Quando Eu For Bem Velhinho” by Lupicínio Rodrigues and Felisberto Martins, backed by Orlando Silva and Sílvio Caldas, and subsequently issued the titles “Você Não Tem Palavra,” “Onde Estás,” “Não Troquemos de Mal,” “Se Alguém Disse,” and “N-a-o-til, Não.”
His broadcasting career opened at Rádio Guanabara in 1937, where he remained through 1939 while also performing with the station’s regional ensemble; he then moved to Rádio Tupi until 1943. In 1949 he joined Rádio Jornal do Brasil, staying until 1952, after which he spent three years at Rádio Nacional before withdrawing from regular radio work in 1955, appearing only for occasional broadcasts thereafter. A 1964 Chantecler album titled A Volta do Seresteiro marked his return to recording, and five years later the marcha-rancho “Avenida Iluminada (Lágrimas de um Coração),” written with Brasinha, scored another hit when Zé Keti placed it second in a contest sponsored by Rio de Janeiro’s tourism bureau during the 1969 carnival.