Cartola

Biography

Cartola, born Angenor de Oliveira in Rio de Janeiro on 11 October 1908, was a Brazilian singer, composer and poet central to the development of samba. He took his nickname from the top hat he wore while working as a bricklayer. In 1928 he helped found the Estação Primeira de Mangueira samba school, choosing its name and its green and pink colours. His songs were recorded by leading singers of the 1930s, but he faded from view in the 1940s and was rediscovered in 1956 working as a car washer. With his wife Zica he ran the Zicartola restaurant, a meeting place for samba and bossa nova musicians. He recorded his first solo album only in 1974, composed more than 500 songs, and died in Rio de Janeiro on 30 November 1980.