Wilson Simoninha

Wilson Simoninha, offspring of Wilson Simonal and sibling to Max de Castro, emerged among the fresh talents of the 1990s who revitalize samba and bossa nova standards by infusing them with soul and pop sensibilities while maintaining close ties to the Trama label. The concert recording Artistas Reunidos captures this circle of performers, spotlighting Simoninha alongside Max de Castro, Jairzinho Oliveira and Luciana Mello—the son and daughter of Jair Rodrigues—plus Pedro Camargo Mariano, the child of Elis Regina and half-brother to longtime associate João Marcello Bôscoli. After establishing Suite Combo together with João Marcello Bôscoli, Simoninha continues to collaborate with him through Trama.

Critics singled out Simoninha’s debut release, Vol. 2 (2000), for its sensitive take on Johnny Alf’s “Eu e a Brisa,” while the set also introduced the original compositions “Orgulho” and “Aquele Gol,” both co-written with Bernardo Vilhena. Bound by longstanding ties to Jorge Ben Jor—the composer behind one of Simonal’s signature successes, “País Tropical”—Simoninha honored him with the brief tribute piece “Mas Que Nada,” acknowledging the guidance he received as a member of Ben Jor’s Banda do Zé Pretinho during the 1980s. At the 2001 Rock in Rio Festival he saluted his father, Tim Maia, and Ben Jor in a single performance.