Barroso, Ary

Samba legend Ary Barroso was the first Brazilian to be nominated for an Oscar. The multi-faceted musician was born in Ubá in Minas Gerais, the son of poet, singer and lawyer Joao Evangelista, but was orphaned at the age of seven. Raised by his grandmother and aunt, he was sent for piano lessons at age ten and disciplined to practice three hours daily. In 1920 he headed to Rio for training in law, but he soon spent an inheritance from his uncle and had to begin to earn his living by playing for dance-hall orchestras. His talent became obvious when he began composing, as did his versatility when working as a radio announcer (beginning in 1933), writer, humorist, reporter, producer, emcee, interviewer and even soccer commentator. One of the most influential pre-Bossa Nova composers in Brazil in the late 1920s and 1930s, he changed the face of Brazilian samba, developing the genres of samba-cancão and samba exaltacão. His songs were recorded by many famous singers, including his friend Carmen Miranda and João Gilberto. He wrote more than 60 songs and tunes for Rio’s famous Carnaval festival, and 52 of his works were used in movies. His 1939 piece “Aquarela do Brasil” was used in the 1942 Disney film “Saludos Amigos” and has become one of the 20 most recorded songs of all time. He did manage to finish law school and married the daughter of the boarding house where he lodged. Though he didn’t win the Oscar for which he was nominated in 1945, he did get a Merit award from the Academy, and in 1955 the National Order of Merit from the Brazilian government.