Clementina de Jesus

Biography

Born in Carambita, a district on the outskirts of Valenca, south of Rio de Janeiro, she moved with her family when she was eight years old to the district Osvaldo Cruz, in Rio de Janeiro. For many years she followed the Portela Samba School; in 1940, after her marriage, she moved to the Mangueira Samba School.

For more than 20 years she worked as a maid, but in 1963 was discovered by the composer Herminio Bello de Carvalho, who asked her to participate in the Rosa de Ouro show in some Brazilian capitals and he made her first record with Odeon Records.

She was celebrated by Elton Medeiros with the song "Clementina, Cade Voce?" and by Clara Nunes with "PCJ, Partido Clementina de Jesus" in 1977, written by the composer Candeia.

In 1983 she was celebrated by many artists, including Paulinho da Viola, Joao Nogueira and Elizeth Cardoso, with a show at the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro.

She began her professional career when she was 63 and her distinctive voice can be heard on four solo albums, as well as other recordings with well-known samba artists such as Pixinguinha and Joao da Bahiana. She was known in Brazil as "Mom". Despite having had a short career that started late in her life, Clementina de Jesus is one of the most popular singers in Brazil, known for her contribution to carnival music and for her identification with the poor.

She died aged 86 in Rio de Janeiro from a stroke on July 19, 1987.

Discography

Her only record that can be found today in stores is Clementina e convidados.

LP

With others

Compilation