ARTISTNey Matogrosso

Ney Matogrosso entered the Brazilian popular music scene in the 1970s with Secos e Molhados. After the group dissolved, he began a solo career, exploring a charismatic stage persona and satirical, ironic repertoires alongside intense, sensitive interpretations of Brazilian classics. His solo discography earned him three platinum and three gold records. He recorded in Italy with Astor Piazzolla, performed in Argentina, Uruguay and Israel, took part in two Montreux Jazz Festivals and toured Portugal several times. Although he also performed in the United States, he declined invitations to develop an international career. He additionally acted in Sonho de Valsa, directed by Ana Carolina, and Joel Pizzini’s short film Caramujo Flor, and directed shows by RPM, Cazuza and Simone.

After arriving in Rio de Janeiro in 1966, Matogrosso worked as a leather artisan and divided his time among Rio, São Paulo and Brasília. Through singer and composer Luli, he met João Ricardo, who invited him to join Secos e Molhados. Following a year of rehearsals, artisan work and theater in São Paulo, the group achieved explosive success. In his solo work, Matogrosso developed his distinctive vocal timbre and an androgynous stage image enhanced by innovative costumes. With Bandido in 1976, he scored his first national solo hit, "Bandido Corazón," written for him by Rita Lee. He later combined Brazilian rock repertoire from the 1980s with interpretations of classics. In A Luz do Solo (1986), he focused on singing; later projects included Pescador de Pérolas (1987), As Aparências Enganam, Cair da Tarde (1997), devoted to works by Tom Jobim and Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Batuque (2001), centered on sambas, choros and Carnival marchinhas from the 1930s and 1940s.