| Áurea Martins sprouted and flowered from a branch of musicians (her grandmother playing the banjo) from Campo Grande, from the western region of Rio de Janeiro. Her first live presentations were as a member of the choir from the Ginásio Estadual “Raja Gabaglia”. Nearing her post adolescence, she starts going to jazz clubs in the suburbs and acting as “lady crooner” for her uncles’ acts in balls in surrounding regions. In the first half of the 60’s, the artist starts to feel the attraction to the center of the city. In a renovation of Rádio Nacional’s cast, Áurea Martins becomes part of the group in the channel, with talents like Alaíde Costa, Peri Ribeiro, and Elis Regina (1945-1982), under the strong incentive of Paulo Gracindo (1911-1995). Her first ever recording was a track on an LP called Alvorada dos Novos, produced by Altamiro Carrilho for the Copacabana.
In 1969, she becomes the winner of annual edition of the television show A Grande Chance (The Big Chance), created and presented by Flávio Cavalcante (1923-1986) for Rede Tupi de Television. The finals took place in the Teatro Municipal had as members of the jury the maestros Erlon Chaves (1033-1974), Guerra Peixe (1914-1993), and Lindolfo Gaia (1921-1987); the pianist Bené Nunes (1920-1997); the singer/songwriter Maysa (1936-1977); the actress, singer, and director, Bibi Ferreira; the journalist and writer Austragésilo de Ataíde (1898-1993). Achieving maximum score from all jury members, Áurea won first place, a trip to Portugal, and a contract to record an album at RCA Victor. On a one way road to success after her flawless victory, she was hired to perform on the night club, “Drink”, from the singer and entrepreneur Helena Lima, in Copacabana. In 1970, she played her first venue in São Paulo, in a concert at the Teatro Gazeta with the pianist and songwriter Ribamar (1919-1987), a partner of Dolores Duran (1930-1959) in the song Pela Rua, interpreted by her at the finals of A Grande Chance. After releasing two EPs, produced bby Rildo Hora with arrangements of Guerra Peixe, in 1972 she released her first LP. In the album – also produced by Rildo, with arrangements by pianists Luís Eça (1936-1992) and the participation of the poet Paulo Mendes Campos (1922-1991) – Áurea is joined by Tamba Trio and the classic guitar player Luís Cláudio Ramos.
An opportunity to work with “Fats” Elpídio, known to her since she was a little girl, through recordings as a pianist of the legendary nightclub “Vogue”, came in “Dancing Brasil”, at Avenida Rio Branco. The saxophone player, Paulo Moura, who witnessed her performance at the Municipal, and the pianist Wagner Tiso, demanded her presence in Athens, to perform as a group, under the support of the Brazilian embassy at Greece. Upon her return, Áurea Martins is hired at the nightclub “Number One”, at Ipanema. Right there, beside, a rotation happens with performers Djavan and Alcione, accompanied by pianist Édson Frederico. In the first half of the 70’s, her friendship with Emilio Santiago started at the nightclub “706”, at Leblon, where she had her debut with pianist Cristovão Bastos. In the end of that decade, when the fine music of the bohemian nights of Zona Sul, she joins the migration of the movement to the edges of the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas: she first performs at “O Teclado”, with pianist Zé-Maria Rocha, rotating with Johnny Alf; at “Chiko’s Bar”, with Luís Carlos Vinhas (1940-2001); at “Antonino” and, in the 90’s, the concerts at the “Au Bar”, shared with Marisa Gata Mansa (1938-2003) and Zezé Gonzaga. Her rich itinerary could only point her to the “new” Lapa, where she inaugurates the “Carioca da Gema” (participating as a member of its cast for seven years) and numerous performances at “Rio Scenarium”.
This CD is a dream of Hermínio Bello de Carvalho coming true. Since – in a musical aired on TV under his command, many years ago – he heard Áurea sing Embarcação (by Fancis Hime and Chico Buarque, meaning to get aboard a ship), Hermíno “got aboard her ship” and never allowed her out of his sight.
Original text by: Zé-Maria Rocha |
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