Alcione

Country of Origin

Brasil

Styles

Samba

Biography

Alcione Dias Nazareth, widely known as Alcione and affectionately referred to as "A Marrom" (the Brown One), is a prominent Brazilian samba singer born on November 21, 1947. She first gained international recognition in the late 1970s and has since earned nineteen gold records, along with five platinum and double platinum records.

In 1987, Alcione performed the song "João de Deus" (John of God) in dedication to Pope John Paul II, during his second visit to Brazil, in front of a crowd of 500,000 people.

Early Life and Career

Alcione was born in São Luís, Maranhão, where her father, a military musician, introduced her to traditional Brazilian music. By the age of thirteen, she was already performing at college events and had begun studying the clarinet and trumpet.

At 20, Alcione moved to Rio de Janeiro, where she worked at TV Excelsior and later toured Argentina and Chile. After returning to Brazil, she settled in São Paulo, performing in nightclubs and making television appearances. In 1970, she embarked on a two-year tour of Europe, where she performed as both a vocalist and trumpet player.

In 1972, Alcione recorded her first single upon returning to Brazil. The following year, she traveled to Mexico to perform, and in 1974, she recorded her first full-length album in Portugal. Her 1975 album A Voz do Samba achieved gold status, featuring hits like "Não Deixe o Samba Morrer" and "O Surdo."

Rise to Fame

By the late 1970s, Alcione had established herself as a well-known samba artist and gained international acclaim. She released several albums during this period, including Alerta Geral in 1978, which followed a successful stint hosting a TV show of the same name on TV Globo. Her self-titled album in 1981 further solidified her reputation.

In 1997, Alcione signed with Universal Records, releasing her debut album under Polygram, Valeu, the following year. This was followed by Celebração and Claridade—Uma Homenagem A Clara Nunes in 1999. In 2002, Alcione was instrumental in founding the Paraíso School of Samba in London, England, and helped organize a British version of Brazil's Carnival, Paraíso dos Orixás. Her 2002 album Ao Vivo won the Best Samba/Pagode Album Award at the fourth Latin Grammy Awards in 2003.

Later Career and Impact

Alcione has had several hit songs, including "Não Deixe o Samba Morrer," "Lá Vem Você," "Gostoso Veneno," and "Ilha da Maré." On July 7, 2007, she performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro.

Discography Highlights

Alcione's extensive discography includes numerous gold and platinum albums across several major labels, including Universal Music and Sony BMG. Notable albums include A Voz do Samba (1975), Pra que Chorar (1977), Fruto e Raiz (1986), and Ao Vivo (2002). Her work has consistently garnered commercial success and critical acclaim, reflecting her lasting impact on Brazilian music.

Alcione continues to be a significant figure in samba, known for her powerful voice and contributions to the genre.

Social Media and Links

Upcoming Concerts

Date	Time	Venue	City	Country
August 30, 2024	20:00	Apolo 1	Barcelona	Spain