Seu Jorge
Encyclopedia
Seu Jorge is a Brazilian musician, singer/songwriter and actor. Born Jorge Mário da Silva, he was raised in a favela
in the city of Belford Roxo
in the Baixada Fluminense
region of Rio de Janeiro state
. He is considered by his fans a renewer of Brazilian pop samba
. Seu Jorge cites samba school
, and American soul
singer Stevie Wonder
as major musical influences.
, Gilberto Gil
, and Milton Nascimento
. It was released outside Brazil under the name Carolina in 2003. His second album, the critically acclaimed Cru
("Raw"), was released in 2005. Seu Jorge also recorded the live duo album "Ana & Jorge" with Brazilian singer Ana Carolina
, released in Brazil in 2005.
Seu Jorge has gained exposure through his work as an actor and soundtrack composer. He appeared in the critically acclaimed 2002 film City of God as Mané Galinha, directed by filmmaker Fernando Meirelles
, and then played Pelé dos Santos in Wes Anderson
's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
, for which he provided much of the soundtrack in the form of Portuguese language
cover version
s of David Bowie
classics. Bowie later went on to say about Seu's cover album, The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions
, that "had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs in Portuguese I would never have heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued them with."
In June 2006, he performed at Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee and at the Festival Sudoeste TMN in Portugal. He has also performed in 2006 at the Bluesfest in Ottawa
and performed at the Harbourfront in Toronto. Jorge's performances are known for their excitement as well as for getting the crowd moving. In January 2010 he performed with Thievery Corporation
at the Austin City Limits
, which was later broadcast on PBS
.
His album 'América Brasil' had a limited Brazilian release in 2007 under his label Cafuné Gravadora, distributed in the UK by Proper Music Distribution
. In May 2010, Now-Again Records announced that Jorge's new album, Seu Jorge & Almaz, a collaboration with drummer Pupillo and guitarist Lucio Maia from Nação Zumbi
and bassist and composer Antonio Pinto
would be released in North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand on July 27 and in Europe on September 14. The album has been described as "how powerful Brazilian soul music can be."
In 2011, he collaborated with Beck
on the Mario C. remix of "Tropicália" for the Red Hot Organization's
most recent charitable album "Red Hot+Rio 2." The album is a follow-up to the 1996 "Red Hot+Rio." Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues.
Favela
A favela is the generally used term for a shanty town in Brazil. In the late 18th century, the first settlements were called bairros africanos . This was the place where former slaves with no land ownership and no options for work lived. Over the years, many freed black slaves moved in...
in the city of Belford Roxo
Belford Roxo
Belford Roxo is a city in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a part of the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro and was created in 1990. Its population was 480,555 in 2007 and its area is 79 km². Belford Roxo is one of the richest and wealthiest cities in the state, due to its high GDP...
in the Baixada Fluminense
Baixada Fluminense
The Baixada Fluminense is a region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between the city of Rio de Janeiro to the south and the Serra dos Órgãos hills to the north, and bordering on Guanabara Bay. Its government is separate from that of the city of Rio de Janeiro, but depending on the writer it...
region of Rio de Janeiro state
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
. He is considered by his fans a renewer of Brazilian pop samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
. Seu Jorge cites samba school
Samba school
A samba school is a club or dancing school. They practice and often perform in huge square-compounds devoted to practicing and exhibiting samba, an African-Brazilian dance. The schools are traditionally associated with a particular neighborhood, often shanty towns...
, and American soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
as major musical influences.
Biography
As a singer, Seu Jorge was part of the band Farofa Carioca, writing most of the songs of their 1998 debut album Moro no Brasil. In 2001 he released Samba Esporte Fino, a pop album influenced by musicians Jorge Ben JorJorge Ben Jor
Jorge Ben Jor is a Brazilian popular musician. His characteristic style fuses samba, funk, and rock into samba-rock, with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter.-Early life and career:...
, Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
, and Milton Nascimento
Milton Nascimento
-Biography:Nascimento's mother was the maid Maria Nascimento. As a baby, Milton Nascimento was adopted by his mother's former employers: the couple Josino Brito Campos, a banker employee, mathematics teacher and electronic technician; and Lília Silva Campos, a music teacher and choir singer...
. It was released outside Brazil under the name Carolina in 2003. His second album, the critically acclaimed Cru
Cru (album)
Cru is a 2004 album by Seu Jorge first released in France on sept, 21st of 2004 by parisian independent label Fla-Flu with the record company Naïve. This was his second album to be released outside his native Brazil, the first being Carolina. Many of the songs on the album are covers such as...
("Raw"), was released in 2005. Seu Jorge also recorded the live duo album "Ana & Jorge" with Brazilian singer Ana Carolina
Ana Carolina
Ana Carolina Sousa is a Brazilian singer, composer, and musician.-Career:Carolina has a contralto vocal range. Her musical influence comes from the crib, her grandmother used to sing on the radio, and her great aunt and uncle played percussion, piano, cello, and violin...
, released in Brazil in 2005.
Seu Jorge has gained exposure through his work as an actor and soundtrack composer. He appeared in the critically acclaimed 2002 film City of God as Mané Galinha, directed by filmmaker Fernando Meirelles
Fernando Meirelles
Fernando Ferreira Meirelles is a Brazilian film director, producer and screenwriter.He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director in 2004 for his work in the Brazilian film City of God, released in 2002 in Brazil and in 2003 in the U.S. by Miramax Films...
, and then played Pelé dos Santos in Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson
Wesley Wales Anderson is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer of features, short films and commercials....
's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is an American comedy-drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Wes Anderson. It is Anderson's fourth feature length film, released in the U.S. on December 25, 2004...
, for which he provided much of the soundtrack in the form of Portuguese language
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
classics. Bowie later went on to say about Seu's cover album, The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions
The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions
The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions Featuring Seu Jorge is an album by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge. It is a collection of David Bowie songs Jorge recorded in Portuguese for the soundtrack to the film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.Five of the covers were featured on the original soundtrack of...
, that "had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs in Portuguese I would never have heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued them with."
In June 2006, he performed at Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee and at the Festival Sudoeste TMN in Portugal. He has also performed in 2006 at the Bluesfest in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and performed at the Harbourfront in Toronto. Jorge's performances are known for their excitement as well as for getting the crowd moving. In January 2010 he performed with Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation is a Washington, D.C. based recording artist and DJ duo consisting of Rob Garza, Eric Hilton, and their supporting artists, including current drummer Jeff Franca...
at the Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States...
, which was later broadcast on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
.
His album 'América Brasil' had a limited Brazilian release in 2007 under his label Cafuné Gravadora, distributed in the UK by Proper Music Distribution
Proper Music Distribution
Proper Music Distribution is an independent UK music distributor, specialising in contemporary and catalogue folk, Americana, world music, blues, jazz and other roots-based music....
. In May 2010, Now-Again Records announced that Jorge's new album, Seu Jorge & Almaz, a collaboration with drummer Pupillo and guitarist Lucio Maia from Nação Zumbi
Nação Zumbi
Nação Zumbi is a Brazilian rock band formed by Chico Science. The musicians of the group continued as Nação Zumbi after Chico died in a car accident on February 2, 1997....
and bassist and composer Antonio Pinto
Antonio Pinto (composer)
Antonio Pinto is a Brazilian film score composer. He is the son of the famous cartoonist Ziraldo and the brother of film-maker Daniela Thomas. His work earned him a World Soundtrack Award and an ASCAP award, as well as a nomination in the Best Original Song category at the 65th Golden Globe Awards...
would be released in North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand on July 27 and in Europe on September 14. The album has been described as "how powerful Brazilian soul music can be."
In 2011, he collaborated with Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
on the Mario C. remix of "Tropicália" for the Red Hot Organization's
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
most recent charitable album "Red Hot+Rio 2." The album is a follow-up to the 1996 "Red Hot+Rio." Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues.
Discography
- Samba Esporte Fino (also released as Carolina by Regata Musica, Mr Bongo and Quantitum Solutions) (2001)
- CruCru (album)Cru is a 2004 album by Seu Jorge first released in France on sept, 21st of 2004 by parisian independent label Fla-Flu with the record company Naïve. This was his second album to be released outside his native Brazil, the first being Carolina. Many of the songs on the album are covers such as...
(2004) - The Life Aquatic Studio SessionsThe Life Aquatic Studio SessionsThe Life Aquatic Studio Sessions Featuring Seu Jorge is an album by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge. It is a collection of David Bowie songs Jorge recorded in Portuguese for the soundtrack to the film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.Five of the covers were featured on the original soundtrack of...
(2005) - América Brasil O Disco (2007)
- Seu Jorge & Almaz (2010)
- Músicano (2011)
Filmography
- City of God (2002)
- Moro no Brasil (2002)
- The Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouThe Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouThe Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is an American comedy-drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Wes Anderson. It is Anderson's fourth feature length film, released in the U.S. on December 25, 2004...
(2004) - House of Sand (2005)
- Elipsis (2006)
- The EscapistThe Escapist (2008 film)The Escapist is a 2008 drama thriller starring Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Liam Cunningham, Seu Jorge, Dominic Cooper, Steven Mackintosh, Stephen Farrelly and Damian Lewis. It is directed and co-written by Rupert Wyatt, and premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival to considerable acclaim...
(2008) - Carmo (2008)
- The Elite Squad 2The Elite Squad 2Elite Squad 2 is a 2010 Brazilian film directed and produced by José Padilha, starring Wagner Moura. It is a sequel of the 2007 film The Elite Squad...
(2010) - Sleepwalkers (2010)
DVDs
- MTV Apresenta Seu Jorge (2004)
- Ana & Jorge: Ao VivoAna & Jorge: Ao VivoAna & Jorge: Ao Vivo is an MPB album by Brazilian singers Ana Carolina and Seu Jorge, released on CD and DVD in 2005. In Brazil it was awarded Triple Platinum certification, as more than 300,000 copies were sold in the country.- Background :...
with Ana Carolina (2005) - Seu Jorge – Live at Montreux 2005 2008
External links
- Official website
- Seu Jorge and Almaz Official website
- Seu Jorge's UK Distributor
- I am Here to Stay: An Interview with Seu Jorge
- A Moment with Seu Jorge. Interview
- CNN interview with Seu Jorge
- Seu Jorge interview on PBS NewsHour
- Seu Jorge interview and in performance on PBS Sound Tracks presents Quick Hits