Biography
The Quinteto em Branco e Preto took its designation from the contrasting skin tones among its five members. Concentrating exclusively on traditional samba, the ensemble quickly gained favor with working-class listeners in São Paulo, the city of its origin. Strict loyalty to the genre’s core principles earned the musicians repeated calls to support established sambistas, thereby extending their visibility across Brazil. On TV Cultura specials the quintet provided accompaniment for Walter Alfaiate, Carlinhos Vergueiro, Nei Lopes, Wilson das Neves, and D. Ivone Lara; in concert settings it performed behind Guilherme de Brito, Wilson Moreira, Luís Carlos da Vila, Noca da Portela, Monarco, Almir Guineto, Jorge Aragão, Moacyr Luz, Germano Matias, Délcio Carvalho, Jamelão, and João Nogueira during the latter’s final São Paulo appearance.
Beth Carvalho discovered the group and took it under her wing as protégé. She first christened the musicians Quinteto Café com Leite, yet another ensemble already bore that name, prompting her to supply the current title instead. Featured in her nationwide engagements, the quintet made its initial journey abroad in September 2000, supporting Carvalho during two Johannesburg concerts in South Africa. That same year the musicians issued the album Riqueza do Brasil, which included guest contributions from Almir Guineto, Beth Carvalho, Wilson das Neves, and Mauro Diniz, among others. Alongside original material the recording introduced previously unpublished compositions by Nelson Cavaquinho, Wilson Moreira, Monarco, Mauro Diniz, Luís Carlos da Vila, Wilson das Neves, Paulo César Pinheiro, Nei Lopes, Délcio Carvalho, and Elton Medeiros. Also in 2000 the group appeared on Carvalho’s live recording Pagode de Mesa 2, where she performed “Melhor Pra Nós Dois,” written by Magno de Souza, Maurílio, and Paquera, together with “A Comunidade Chora,” credited to Magno de Souza, Maurílio, and Edvaldo.
Beth Carvalho discovered the group and took it under her wing as protégé. She first christened the musicians Quinteto Café com Leite, yet another ensemble already bore that name, prompting her to supply the current title instead. Featured in her nationwide engagements, the quintet made its initial journey abroad in September 2000, supporting Carvalho during two Johannesburg concerts in South Africa. That same year the musicians issued the album Riqueza do Brasil, which included guest contributions from Almir Guineto, Beth Carvalho, Wilson das Neves, and Mauro Diniz, among others. Alongside original material the recording introduced previously unpublished compositions by Nelson Cavaquinho, Wilson Moreira, Monarco, Mauro Diniz, Luís Carlos da Vila, Wilson das Neves, Paulo César Pinheiro, Nei Lopes, Délcio Carvalho, and Elton Medeiros. Also in 2000 the group appeared on Carvalho’s live recording Pagode de Mesa 2, where she performed “Melhor Pra Nós Dois,” written by Magno de Souza, Maurílio, and Paquera, together with “A Comunidade Chora,” credited to Magno de Souza, Maurílio, and Edvaldo.
Albums
