Jotabê, a lesser-known collaborator of Jorge Aragão, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the success of the samba 'Malandro' in a show titled 'Malandro 50 years – Jotabê invites'.
In 1976, Elza Soares presented the samba 'Malandro' to Brazil, recorded for the album 'Lição de vida', at which time the Carioca singer revealed the two composers of the song. One of them was Jorge Aragão, who quickly demonstrated his talent as a singer, initially being part of the group Fundo de Quintal and later starting his solo career in 1981.
The other composer, João Batista Alcântara, known artistically as Jotabê, was only 20 years old at the time, having been born on June 19, 1946, in Santa Cruz, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro city (RJ). Despite being an essential partner to Aragão between 1976 and 1983, he remained practically unknown to the public during these five decades.
However, Jotabê now has the opportunity to perform to commemorate the 50th anniversary of 'Malandro'. It is important to note that although it was released in 1976, the samba was composed by Aragão and Jotabê eight years earlier, in 1968, long before gaining the prominence achieved by Elza Soares' recording.
With direction and script by Marcos Salles, Jorge Aragão's discreet partner will take the stage at the Teatro Rival, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), to host the show 'Malandro 50 years – Jotabê invites'.
The event's host will revisit his trajectory as a composer, presenting sambas created in collaboration with Jorge Aragão, such as 'Cabelo pixaim' (1977), 'Logo agora' (1979), 'Bar da esquina' (1980), 'Leva e traz' (1981), 'Má intenção' (1981), 'Pedaço de ilusão' (1981), and 'Meu pensamento' (1983). The show will feature the participation of the group Samba e Água Fresca, as well as Bia Ferraz, Marquinho China, Wanderley Monteiro, and Weber Werneck.
Michel Sapienza is responsible for the musical direction and arrangements of the spectacle, where Jotabê celebrates his 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the release of 'Malandro', in addition to paying tribute to other partnerships with composers such as Marquinhos China, Sombrinha, and Wanderley Monteiro.