Elza Soares

Biography

Elza Soares, born Elza da Conceição Gomes on June 23, 1930, in the Moça Bonita favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, grew up in extreme poverty as the daughter of a factory worker and a washerwoman. At age 13, in 1950, she won a radio singing contest on Rádio Tupi by performing 'Lá Vai Samba,' adapting it with scat singing inspired by Louis Armstrong—though she later claimed ignorance of American music at the time—launching her career despite her impoverished background and oversized high heels that amused the host.[1][2][6] After her first husband's death from tuberculosis, she left her children with her mother and toured Argentina for eight months in 1958 with Mercedes Batista, then returned to Rio and São Paulo, gaining fame with hits like 'Se Acaso Você Chegasse' (1959) and building her signature husky, gravelly voice in samba, sambalanço, bossa nova, and MPB.[1][3][5]

Soares rose to national prominence in the 1960s, recording hits such as 'Boato' (1961), 'Cadeira Vazia' (1961), 'Só Danço Samba' (1963), and 'Mulata Assanhada' (1965), while blending samba with jazz and soul elements; she represented Brazil at the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile, meeting Louis Armstrong, and released albums like the 'Elza, Miltinho e Samba' series (1967-1969).[1][4][5] Facing adversity during the military dictatorship, economic struggles, and personal hardships—including a violent marriage to soccer player Garrincha—she persisted, moving briefly to Italy in 1969 before returning. Her later career saw innovative comebacks, such as 'Do Cóccix Até o Pescoço' (2002) mixing samba with funk, rap, and tango, and 'A Mulher do Fim do Mundo' (2016), incorporating hip-hop and electronic music with avant-garde collaborators.[1][4][6]

Named Singer of the Millennium by BBC Radio in 1999 alongside Tina Turner, Soares was a symbol of resilience, women's rights, and Afro-Brazilian culture, performing at events like the 2007 Pan American Games and 2016 Rio Olympics opening until her death on January 20, 2022, at age 91 in Rio de Janeiro.[1][2][6]

Fun Facts

• At her 1950 radio debut at age 13, the host mocked her oversized high heels and asked where she was from; she replied, 'From the same planet as you, sir—from Planet Hunger,' referencing her poverty.[1][6]
• She met Louis Armstrong at the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile while representing Brazil and singing the national anthem.[1][4]
• Deemed 'dangerous' by Brazil's military dictatorship, she faced persecution during that era.[1]
• In 1999, BBC Radio named her Singer of the Millennium alongside Tina Turner.[1][4]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Louis Armstrong - Stylistic inspiration for scat singing, though she claimed not to know his music initially; met him at 1962 World Cup (Introduced in 'Se Acaso Você Chegasse' (1959)) [1950s-1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Miltinho - Frequent duet partner on Odeon label (Elza, Miltinho e Samba (Volumes 1-3)) [1967-1969]
• Mercedes Batista - Touring partner (Tour in Argentina) [1958]
• Nando Reis - Guest collaborator on album blending samba and electronic music (Unnamed album (early 2000s context)) [2000s]
• Kiko Dinucci - Avant-garde musician on innovative samba album (A Mulher do Fim do Mundo) [2016]
• José Miguel Wisnik - Musical director for eclectic album (Do Cóccix Até o Pescoço) [2002]
• Wilson das Neves - Collaborator on samba album (Elza Soares & Wilson das Neves) [1968]

Artists Influenced

• Jorge Aragão - Launched as composer through her recording (Malandro) [1977]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia