Jacob do Bandolim
Encyclopedia
Jacob do Bandolim was a Brazil
ian composer and musician. Born Jacob Pick Bittencourt from a Jewish
mother and Brazilian father in Rio de Janeiro
, his stage name means "Mandolin
Jacob", after the instrument he played.
A perfectionist, Jacob was able to achieve from his band Época de Ouro the highest levels of quality. Jacob hated the stereotype of the "dishevelled, drunk folk musician" and required commitment and impeccable dress from his musicians who, like himself, all held "day jobs". Jacob worked as a pharmacist, insurance salesman, street vendor, and finally notary public, to support himself while also working "full time" as a musician.
In addition to his virtuoso playing, he is famous for his many choro
compositions, which range from the lyrical melodies of "Noites Cariocas" ("Carioca
Nights") and "Doce de Coco" to the aggressively jazzy "Assanhado", which is reminiscent of bebop
. He also researched and attempted to preserve the older choro tradition, as well as that of other Brazilian music styles. He died of a heart attack, when coming back from spending the day with Pixinguinha
, planning a recording project to benefit his friend.
Jacob had 2 mandolins, which he called "number one" and "number two". After his death they were kept in storage until 2002, when they received minor restoration. Now under the care of Instituto Jacob do Bandolim, they have been used in a few recordings again.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian composer and musician. Born Jacob Pick Bittencourt from a Jewish
History of the Jews in Brazil
A Brazilian Jew is a Brazilian person of Jewish ancestry or a Brazilian who has converted to Judaism....
mother and Brazilian father in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, his stage name means "Mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
Jacob", after the instrument he played.
A perfectionist, Jacob was able to achieve from his band Época de Ouro the highest levels of quality. Jacob hated the stereotype of the "dishevelled, drunk folk musician" and required commitment and impeccable dress from his musicians who, like himself, all held "day jobs". Jacob worked as a pharmacist, insurance salesman, street vendor, and finally notary public, to support himself while also working "full time" as a musician.
In addition to his virtuoso playing, he is famous for his many choro
Choro
Choro , traditionally called chorinho , is a Brazilian popular music instrumental style. Its origins are in 19th century Rio de Janeiro. In spite of the name, the style often has a fast and happy rhythm, characterized by virtuosity, improvisation, subtile modulations and full of syncopation and...
compositions, which range from the lyrical melodies of "Noites Cariocas" ("Carioca
Carioca
Carioca is a Portuguese adjective or demonym that is used to refer to the native inhabitants of the city of Rio de Janeiro - capital of the homonym state , in Brazil...
Nights") and "Doce de Coco" to the aggressively jazzy "Assanhado", which is reminiscent of bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
. He also researched and attempted to preserve the older choro tradition, as well as that of other Brazilian music styles. He died of a heart attack, when coming back from spending the day with Pixinguinha
Pixinguinha
Alfredo da Rocha Viana, Jr., better known as Pixinguinha was a composer, arranger, flautist and saxophonist born in Rio de Janeiro. Pixinguinha is considered one of the greatest Brazilian composers of popular music, particularly within the genre of music known as choro...
, planning a recording project to benefit his friend.
Jacob had 2 mandolins, which he called "number one" and "number two". After his death they were kept in storage until 2002, when they received minor restoration. Now under the care of Instituto Jacob do Bandolim, they have been used in a few recordings again.
External links
- Instituto Jacob do Bandolim - the best resource for biography, music, and pictures (including the only known film - a 35 second TV interview). This site is in Portuguese.