Ataulfo Alves

Brazilian samba composer and singer, he was born May 2nd, 1909 in Miraí and died April 20, 1969 in Rio de Janeiro.

Born in 1909 - Miraí, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. (same state as Clube Da Esquina

At 8 years old , he started writing verses . His family was very poor so he had to work as milkman, cattle driver, porter..., while he attended school. At nineteen he played guitar, mandolin and Cavaquinho (a very small guitar) . At twenty he began composing and became director of Harmony Talk About Thinking , block organized by staff of the district. (school of samba, or Escola de Samba)

In 1933 , Admiral recorded samba Friday, his first composition to be released on disc. Days later, Carmen Miranda recorded Lost Time, ensuring its entry into the art world. In 1958 he appeared in the film My Loves in Rio
His music works exceed 320 songs, one of the largest Brazilian popular music, having as important interpreters who made versions of their songs and Clara Nunes Quartet groups Quarteto Em Cy and MPB4 .

In 1969 he died due to the worsening of an ulcer after surgery in Rio de Janeiro, a few days before completing 60 years of age. It was called - in the arts - the " garnizé " , probably due to short stature . (Garnizé is a race of small hens).