Djavan

Djavan during a concert in Santiago, Chile, 18 May 2008

Djavan (full name Djavan Caetano Viana) is a Brazilian singer/songwriter, (born 27 January 1949, in Alagoas, Brazil)^[1] Djavan combines traditional Brazilian rhythms with popular music drawn from the Americas, Europe and Africa. He can arguably be categorized in any of the following musical genres: Música Popular Brasileira (Brazilian pop), samba, or Latin dance.

Biography

Born into a poor family in Maceió (capital of Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil), Djavan formed the group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD – "Light, Sound, Dimension"), playing Beatles' singles. In 1973, Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing in local nightclubs. After competing in several festivals, he gained attention and recorded the album A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan in 1976. The album included the song "Flor de Lis," which became one of his most memorable hits. Albums that followed included his other musical influence, African music, and additional hits followed, such as "Açaí", "Sina," and "Samurai," which featured Stevie Wonder's harmonica. His best known compositions are: "Meu Bem Querer," "Oceano," "Se...," "Faltando um Pedaço," "Esquinas," and "Serrado".

Djavan's compositions have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, The Manhattan Transfer, Loredana Bertè, Eliane Elias, Lee Ritenour; and in Brazil by Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi and Nana Caymmi (son and daughter of Dorival Caymmi), Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and other artists. The 1988, Epic Records single, "Stephen's Kingdom," featured a guest appearance from Stevie Wonder.

In 1998, Djavan contributed "Dukeles" to the AIDS benefit compilation album Onda Sonora: Red Hot + Lisbon produced by the Red Hot Organization.

In 1999, his live concert double-volume album, Ao Vivo, sold 1.2 million copies and the song, "Acelerou" became the Brazilian Song of the Year at the 2000 Latin Grammy Awards.

Discography

• 1976 A Voz, O Violão, A Música de Djavan, Som Livre LP, CD
• 1978 Djavan, EMI/Odeon LP, CD
• 1980 Alumbramento, EMI/Odeon LP, CD
• 1981 Seduzir, EMI/Odeon LP, CD
• 1982 Luz, Sony Music LP, CD
• 1983 Para Viver Um Grande Amor, (film soundtrack), CBS, LP
• 1984 Lilás, CBS, LP, CD
• 1986 Meu Lado, CBS LP, CD
• 1986 Brazilian Knights and a Lady (with Ivan Lins and Patti Austin), VHS
• 1987 Não é Azul Mas é Mar, CBS, LP, CD
• 1987 Bird of Paradise, Columbia, CD
• 1989 Djavan Puzzle of Hearts, CBS CD
• 1992 Coisa de Acender, Sony Music, CD
• 1994 Novena, Sony Music, CD
• 1996 Malásia, Sony Music, CD
• 1997 Songbook Djavan (3 volume set), Lumiar Discos, CD
• 1998 Bicho Solto O XIII, Sony Music, CD
• 1999 Ao Vivo (2-volume live concert set), Epic/Sony Music, CD, DVD
• 2001 Milagreiro, Epic/Sony Music, CD
• 2004 Vaidade, Luanda Records, CD
• 2005 Na Pista, Etc., Luanda Records, CD
• 2007 Matizes, Luanda Records, CD
• 2010 Ária, Luanda Records, CD

References

1. ^ Allmusic biography

External links

• Djavan's official web site
• A concert review in the Guardian
• Djavan's chords and tabs

Persondata
Name	Djavan
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	27 January 1949
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death