Joao Teixeira Guimaraes, violist, guitarist, and composer, was born on November 2, 1883, in Jatoba (PE). He died on October 16, 1947, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
The son of a Caeté Indian woman and a Portuguese man, he was already playing the guitar at the age of 12, having learned from singers and guitarists (sertanejos) in his town.
After the death of his parents, he moved to Recife, where he completed an apprenticeship as a blacksmith.
In 1902, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he stayed with his sister and found work in a foundry. Six years later, he worked as a laborer for the Rio city administration, where he was housed in a boarding house in the city center. During this time, he met important folk musicians with whom he improved his mastery of the instrument, also as a self-taught musician.
As a great connoisseur of music (sertanejas) from northeastern Brazil and as a composer, Pernambuco met Catulo da Paixão Cearense, with whom he began to write songs inspired by this folklore.
In 1911, they composed “Coco Engenho de Humaitá,” which two years later would become the famous “Luar do sertão.” It is believed that they composed “Caboca di Caxangá,” a great success at the 1914 carnival.
Already recognized as a musician, he founded the group Caxangá, which introduced a new musical trend in the country, as they wore traditional costumes from the north of the country, known as “Certanejos nordestinos,” and played their songs on folk instruments.
In addition to João Pernambuco, stars such as the musicians Pixinguinha and Donga were also members of the group. The group reached its peak in 1914 and disbanded in 1919.
In the following years, Pernambuco played in the groups Urunas Pernambucanos and later in Oito Batutas.
He devoted himself to collecting folkloric themes, which are part of several of his compositions and adaptations recorded by singer Stefana de Macedo.
She is an excellent guitarist and plays in recording studios such as Casa Edison, Columbia, and Phoenix.
Her work has been extensively studied and recorded. Artists who have made recordings include: Paraguassú, Augusto Calheiros, Altamirano Carrilho, Carlos Poyares, Jacob’s Mandolin, Barrios Gregorio, Marlene, Hebe Camargo, Lucio Alves, Helena de Lima, Elizeth Cardoso, Maysa, Marisa, Antonio Adolfo, Nó em Pingo d’Água, Raphael Rabello, among others.
His entire biography is available in Portuguese on Wikipedia.