Pixinguinha

Infobox musical artist
Name = Pixinguinha


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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Alfredo da Rocha Viana Filho
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Born = April 23, 1897
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died = February 7, 1973
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Instrument = Saxophone, flute
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Occupation = Songwriter, composer, arranger, instrumentalist
Years_active = 1911-1973
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Alfredo da Rocha Viana Filho, better known as Pixinguinha, (April 23, 1897 - February 7, 1973) was a "choro" composer, arranger, flutist and saxophonist born in Rio de Janeiro. Through the legacy of the pioneering "choro" composers of the 19th century and of the Afro-Brazilian tradition, Pixinguinha produced the most important "choro" works of all time. Edifying the "choro" as a musical genre, he conferred on it personality and identity. Some of his notable compositions include "Carinhoso" and "1 X 0" ("Um a Zero").

Biography

From an early age, Pixinguinha was a distinguished flutist and wrote his first piece at 13. When he grew older, he began the revolutionary musical group Os Oito Batutas. This ensemble was the first Brazilian group featuring the jazzy instrumentation of the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone. After receiving a gig for the dance couple, Duque and Gabi at the Assírio cabaret, they were discovered by the wealthy Eduardo Guinle who solely sponsored their first European tour in 1922. Their tour was a complete success and Pixinguinha received much praise from many distinguished Parisian musical artists including the famed Harold de Bozzi. In 1940, Pixinguinha initiated one of the most distinguished musical periods in the history of Brazil in which composition was revolutionized by improvisation to musical counterpoint.

ee also

* Afro-Brazilians

External links

* [http://www.pandora.com/music/artist/cb5e743d75e11331/ Pandora Project's biography of Pixinguinha] (in English)
* [http://www.mpbnet.com.br/musicos/pixinguinha/ A Short Biography] (in Portuguese)
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyU1wEkyf28 Pixinguinha playing the song "Carinhoso" on sax with Benedito Lacerda on flute] (Video)