Nelson Cavaquinho

• Birth Name — Nelson Antônio da Silva • Born — 29 October 1911 • Birthplace — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil • Died — 18 February 1986 • Place of death — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil • Genre — Samba • Occupation — Singer, composer • Instrument — Cavaquinho

Nelson was born in Rio de Janeiro. Coming from a poor family, he quit school at a young age to seek employment in a factory. He showed a musical talent at a young age playing a home-made guitar made of a cigar box and wires. When he could, he would borrow a cavaquinho and try and copy the techniques of professional cavaquinho players. He demonstrated a great ability to play the instrument and composed a choro ("Caminhando") which gained him notoriety as a musician (due in part to an uncommon modulation which made it hard for other instrumentalists to harmonize with it). He was finally given a cavaquinho and having demonstrated a unique playing style on the instrument was given the nickname "Nelson Cavaquinho". He demonstrated a unique style of playing with only two fingers. As a young man he became acquainted with famous samba players like Cartola, Carlos Cachaça and Zé da Zilda. He went on to compose over 600 compositions, with Guilherme de Brito as his main partner. Some of his better-known works include "A Flor e o Espinho", "Folhas Secas", "O Bem e o Mal" and "Juízo Final". He died of emphysema on February 18, 1986, at the age of 74, in Rio de Janeiro.

Nelson Cavaquinho is recorded with the occupation musician. Classed in the genre samba. Classed in the genre choro. Recorded as singer, composer and musician.