Brazilian Music Friday Feature #16

This week's pick is Alvorada by Cartola, a great classic samba tune. Cartola's career started in the late 1920s when he co-founded the bloco (street band) that eventually turned into the Mangueira samba school, which is still one of the most popular samba schools today. He is also considered responsible for their green and pink colors. 

Cartola became popular in the 1930s, but later disappeared from the music scene, and didn't achieve commercial success until the 1960s and 1970s. He recorded his first album until he was 66, in 1974! Many of his tunes have become classics, and are known for their interesting modulations. 

I've also arranged this one for solo piano - you can watch/listen to it here. 

Enjoy the song, and your weekend!