Jorge Ben Jor
Encyclopedia
Jorge Ben Jor is a Brazilian popular musician
. His characteristic style fuses samba
, funk
, and rock
into samba-rock, with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter.
n origin) but in the 1980s changed it to Jorge Ben Jor (commonly written Benjor), allegedly in response to an incident where some of his royalties had accidentally gone to American
guitarist George Benson
.
Jorge Ben obtained his first pandeiro
(Brazil's most popular type of tambourine) when he was thirteen, and two years later, was singing in a church choir. He also took part as a pandeiro player in the blocos
of Carnival, and from eighteen years of age, he began performing at parties and nightclubs with the guitar his mother gave him.
It was at one of those clubs in which he performed that his musical career took off. In 1963, Jorge came on stage and sang "Mas Que Nada
" (or "no way") to a small crowd that happened to include an executive from the recording company, Philips
. One week later, Jorge Ben's first single was released.
The hybrid rhythms that Jorge employed brought him some problems at the start of his career, when Brazilian music was split between the rockier sounds of the Jovem Guarda
and traditional samba with its complex lyrics. But as that phase in Brazilian pop music history passed, and bossa nova
became more well known throughout the world, Jorge rose to prominence.
Jorge Ben's first public appearances were in small festivals organised by his friends, where bossa nova and rock and roll predominated. As with most musicians of the time, Jorge was initially influenced by João Gilberto
even though he was quite innovative in his own right. The aforementioned song, "Mas Que Nada", was his first big hit in Brazil, and remains to this day the most played song in the USA sung entirely in Portuguese. Outside of Brazil, the song is better known by its cover versions from both Sérgio Mendes
and Tamba Trio. The song has also been reinterpreted by jazz
luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald
, Oscar Peterson
, Dizzy Gillespie
and Al Jarreau
; as well as other samba artists of the time, such as Elza Soares
. His song 1976 song about soccer, called"Umbabarauma", is a tune which is also frequently covered by many artists—of many genres.It was originally featured on his album África Brasil.
In 1969, Jorge Ben released his self-titled album amid the excitement of the cultural and musical Tropicália movement. The album featured Trio Mocotó
as his backing band, who would go on to launch a successful career on the back of their association with Ben. The album was noted for "País Tropical," one of his most famous compositions, although it would be Wilson Simonal
who would take his recording of the song to the top of the charts in Brazil that same year. Instead, the song "Charles, Anjo 45", also from the self-titled album, would become Ben's biggest self-performed chart hit of the year.
In the 1970s, Jorge Ben released his most esoteric and experimental albums, most notably "A Tábua de Esmeralda" in 1974, "Solta o Pavão" in 1975 and "África Brasil" in 1976; the latter album's track "Xica da Silva" receiving a single release in many territories in Europe but retitled as "Chica da Silva" for ease of pronunciation. These three albums were not greeted with much popular success at the time but are regarded as classics today.
In 1989, Jorge changed his recording label as well as his artistic name, becoming Jorge Benjor (or Jorge Ben Jor). At the time, it was said that there were numerological reasons for his change in name, although it did in fact have more to do with problems in relation to his rights as a composer of music. Nonetheless, from this point on, Jorge's music became more pop oriented even though it did manage to maintain its swing.
He is known internationally as the composer of the Sérgio Mendes
hit "Mas Que Nada", his own hit single "Taj Mahal" is recognizable (and was legally recognized in a plagiarism lawsuit) as the source of the melody in Rod Stewart
's hit "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
". "Taj Mahal" originally appeared on 1972's "Ben" album, becoming a big hit on the charts in Brazil that year. An alternative version of the track also appeared on the 1977 album "Tropical"; this was an attempt to add soul
and disco
to his sound, after which he reverted to more familiar ways. Additionally, versions appear on Ben's 1975 collaboration with Gilberto Gil
and his 1976 África Brasil album.
in tribute to the music and work of Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti
, that raised money for various charities devoted to raising AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. He collaborated with fellow hip-hop artists Dead Prez
, Talib Kweli
, and Bilal to remake the famous song by Fela Kuti, "Shuffering and Shmiling," for the CD.
In 2006, a remake of Ben Jor's "Mas Que Nada
" became an international chart hit for Sérgio Mendes
with The Black Eyed Peas
after being used by Nike
in a global TV advertisement during the 2006 FIFA World Cup
; this remake (the second time Mendes had covered the track) reached the Top 10 in several European countries, including the UK and Germany, in addition to reaching Number 1 in the Netherlands.
He is also a big fan of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
, a Brazilian football club, located in Rio de Janeiro
, where Zico
, Junior and Leandro are among former stars. His passion is demonstrated in a song he wrote, called "Flamengo;" Flamengo's crest also features in the cover of the 1969 album "Jorge Ben." Ben's "Camisa 10 da Gávea" is an ode to Zico.
On 7 July 2007 he performed at the Brazilian leg
of Live Earth
in Rio de Janeiro.
Música Popular Brasileira
Música Popular Brasileira or MPB designates a trend in post-Bossa Nova urban popular music. It is not a discrete genre but rather a constellation that combines original songwriting and updated versions of traditional Brazilian urban music styles like samba and samba-canção with contemporary...
. His characteristic style fuses samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, and rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
into samba-rock, with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter.
Early life and career
Born Jorge Duilio Lima Menezes, he first took the stage name Jorge Ben after his mother's name (of EthiopiaEthiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n origin) but in the 1980s changed it to Jorge Ben Jor (commonly written Benjor), allegedly in response to an incident where some of his royalties had accidentally gone to American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
.
Jorge Ben obtained his first pandeiro
Pandeiro
The pandeiro is a type of hand frame drum.There are two important distinctions between a pandeiro and the common tambourine. The tension of the head on the pandeiro can be tuned, allowing the player a choice of high and low notes...
(Brazil's most popular type of tambourine) when he was thirteen, and two years later, was singing in a church choir. He also took part as a pandeiro player in the blocos
Blocos
Blocos are the street bands and groups that are the main popular expression in Rio de Janeiro Carnival in Brazil. These demonstrations are mixed under the term "street carnival", a term that still includes the bandstands and parades at Rio Branco Avenue, and happen during a period of about one...
of Carnival, and from eighteen years of age, he began performing at parties and nightclubs with the guitar his mother gave him.
It was at one of those clubs in which he performed that his musical career took off. In 1963, Jorge came on stage and sang "Mas Que Nada
Mas Que Nada
-Song information:In 2006, Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace; a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas....
" (or "no way") to a small crowd that happened to include an executive from the recording company, Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
. One week later, Jorge Ben's first single was released.
The hybrid rhythms that Jorge employed brought him some problems at the start of his career, when Brazilian music was split between the rockier sounds of the Jovem Guarda
Jovem Guarda
Jovem Guarda was primarily a Brazilian musical television show first aired by Rede Record in 1965, though the term soon expanded so as to designate the entire movement and style surrounding it...
and traditional samba with its complex lyrics. But as that phase in Brazilian pop music history passed, and bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
became more well known throughout the world, Jorge rose to prominence.
Jorge Ben's first public appearances were in small festivals organised by his friends, where bossa nova and rock and roll predominated. As with most musicians of the time, Jorge was initially influenced by João Gilberto
João Gilberto
João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira, known as João Gilberto , is a Brazilian singer and guitarist. His seminal recordings, including many songs by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, established the new musical genre of Bossa nova in the late 1950s.-Biography:From an early age, music...
even though he was quite innovative in his own right. The aforementioned song, "Mas Que Nada", was his first big hit in Brazil, and remains to this day the most played song in the USA sung entirely in Portuguese. Outside of Brazil, the song is better known by its cover versions from both Sérgio Mendes
Sergio Mendes
Sérgio Santos Mendes is a Brazilian musician. He has released over thirty-five albums, and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk....
and Tamba Trio. The song has also been reinterpreted by jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
, Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O.P." by his friends. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career...
, Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
and Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau
Alwin "Al" Lopez Jarreau is a seven-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer.- Background :Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, the fifth of six children. His web site refers to Reservoir, Inc., the name of the street where he lived. His father was a Seventh-Day Adventist Church minister and singer, and...
; as well as other samba artists of the time, such as Elza Soares
Elza Soares
Elza Soares is a Brazilian samba singer. She was married to Brazilian football player Garrincha.Born and raised in a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Soares took part in a singing contest presented by the renowned Brazilian musician Ary Barroso, and received the highest marks. In the late 1950s, Soares...
. His song 1976 song about soccer, called"Umbabarauma", is a tune which is also frequently covered by many artists—of many genres.It was originally featured on his album África Brasil.
Success
Trio Mocoto
Trio Mocotó is a Brazilian band, originally formed in 1968 in the Jogral nightclub in São Paulo, and reformed in 2000. The group was influential in forming the musical style that became known as samba rock or samba soul...
as his backing band, who would go on to launch a successful career on the back of their association with Ben. The album was noted for "País Tropical," one of his most famous compositions, although it would be Wilson Simonal
Wilson Simonal
Wilson Simonal de Castro, was a Brazilian singer, born in Rio de Janeiro on February 26, 1939. He also died in Rio de Janeiro on June 25, 2000. He was a singer of a great success in the 1960s and in the first two years of 1970 decade. He was married and had two sons: Wilson Simoninha and Max de...
who would take his recording of the song to the top of the charts in Brazil that same year. Instead, the song "Charles, Anjo 45", also from the self-titled album, would become Ben's biggest self-performed chart hit of the year.
In the 1970s, Jorge Ben released his most esoteric and experimental albums, most notably "A Tábua de Esmeralda" in 1974, "Solta o Pavão" in 1975 and "África Brasil" in 1976; the latter album's track "Xica da Silva" receiving a single release in many territories in Europe but retitled as "Chica da Silva" for ease of pronunciation. These three albums were not greeted with much popular success at the time but are regarded as classics today.
In 1989, Jorge changed his recording label as well as his artistic name, becoming Jorge Benjor (or Jorge Ben Jor). At the time, it was said that there were numerological reasons for his change in name, although it did in fact have more to do with problems in relation to his rights as a composer of music. Nonetheless, from this point on, Jorge's music became more pop oriented even though it did manage to maintain its swing.
He is known internationally as the composer of the Sérgio Mendes
Sergio Mendes
Sérgio Santos Mendes is a Brazilian musician. He has released over thirty-five albums, and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk....
hit "Mas Que Nada", his own hit single "Taj Mahal" is recognizable (and was legally recognized in a plagiarism lawsuit) as the source of the melody in Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
's hit "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" is a 1978 hit song for Rod Stewart. It was written by Stewart and Carmine Appice, and produced by Tom Dowd."Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" spent one week at the top of the British charts in December 1978 and four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, starting 10 February 1979...
". "Taj Mahal" originally appeared on 1972's "Ben" album, becoming a big hit on the charts in Brazil that year. An alternative version of the track also appeared on the 1977 album "Tropical"; this was an attempt to add soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
to his sound, after which he reverted to more familiar ways. Additionally, versions appear on Ben's 1975 collaboration with Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
and his 1976 África Brasil album.
Recent career
In 2002, Jorge Ben contributed to the critically acclaimed Red Hot + Riot, a compilation CD created by the Red Hot OrganizationRed Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
in tribute to the music and work of Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti , or simply Fela , was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of Afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick.-Biography:...
, that raised money for various charities devoted to raising AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. He collaborated with fellow hip-hop artists Dead Prez
Dead Prez
Dead Prez stylized as dead prez is a hip hop duo from the United States, composed of stic.man and M-1, formed in 1996 in New York City, New York. They are known for their confrontational style, combined with socialist lyrics focused on both militant social justice and Pan-Africanism...
, Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
, and Bilal to remake the famous song by Fela Kuti, "Shuffering and Shmiling," for the CD.
In 2006, a remake of Ben Jor's "Mas Que Nada
Mas Que Nada
-Song information:In 2006, Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace; a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas....
" became an international chart hit for Sérgio Mendes
Sergio Mendes
Sérgio Santos Mendes is a Brazilian musician. He has released over thirty-five albums, and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk....
with The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
after being used by Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
in a global TV advertisement during the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
; this remake (the second time Mendes had covered the track) reached the Top 10 in several European countries, including the UK and Germany, in addition to reaching Number 1 in the Netherlands.
He is also a big fan of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team...
, a Brazilian football club, located 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...
, where Zico
Zico
Arthur Antunes Coimbra , better known as Zico , is a Brazilian coach and former footballer. He is the current head coach of the Iraq national football team. Often called the "White Pelé", he is commonly considered one of the most skilled finishers and one of the best passers ever and possibly the...
, Junior and Leandro are among former stars. His passion is demonstrated in a song he wrote, called "Flamengo;" Flamengo's crest also features in the cover of the 1969 album "Jorge Ben." Ben's "Camisa 10 da Gávea" is an ode to Zico.
On 7 July 2007 he performed at the Brazilian leg
Live Earth concert, Rio de Janeiro
The Live Earth concert for South America was held at Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7, 2007. It is one of two free Live Earth concerts, the other being held in Washington, D.C. It was the last concert to start during the day-long event. However, that didn't make it the last to...
of Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
in Rio de Janeiro.
Discography
- 1963: Samba Esquema NovoSamba Esquema NovoSamba Esquema Novo is the 1963 debut album by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben. It includes the original recording of the international hit "Mas Que Nada".It was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as one of the 100 best Brazilian albums in history....
- 1964: Ben é Samba BomBen é Samba BomBen é Samba Bom is the second album from Brazilian artist Jorge Ben, originally released in 1964.-Track listing:All tracks written by Jorge Ben, except where noted# "Descalço no Parque" – 3:04# "Onde Anda o Meu Amoa" – 3:04...
- 1964: Sacundin Ben SambaSacundin Ben SambaSacundin Ben Samba is the third album from Brazilian artist Jorge Ben, originally released in 1964.-Track listing:All tracks written by Jorge Ben, except where noted# "Anjo Azul" – 2:48# "Nena Nana" – 2:52# "Vamos Embora "Uau"" - 2:32...
- 1965: Big BenBig Ben (album)Big Ben is the fourth album by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben, originally released in 1965.-Track listing:All tracks written by Jorge Ben, except where noted# "Na Bahia Tem" - 3:15# "Patapatapatá" - 2:45# "Bom Mesmo é Amara" - 3:05...
- 1967: O bidú-Silêncio no Brooklin
- 1969: Jorge Ben
- 1970: Força Bruta
- 1971: Negro é Lindo
- 1972: Ben
- 1973: 10 Anos Depois
- 1974: A Tábua de EsmeraldaA Tábua de EsmeraldaA Tábua De Esmeralda is a 1974 release by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben.It was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as one of the 100 best Brazilian albums in history.-Track listing:All tracks written by Jorge Ben, except where noted...
- 1975: Solta o PavãoSolta o PavãoSolta o Pavão is a 1975 album by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben. The title of the album literally means "unleash the peacock", and refers to the outward expression of inner beauty.-Track listing:All tracks written by Jorge Ben# "Zagueiro" - 3:03...
- 1975: Jorge Ben à l'Olympia
- 1975: Gil e JorgeGil e JorgeGil e Jorge is a 1975 album featuring collaboration between Brazilian musicians Jorge Ben and Gilberto Gil. The two perform together alongside percussionist Djalma Corrèa on each of the songs, improvising and interacting directly throughout. The songs "Morre o Burro, Fica o Homem" and "Taj Mahal"...
(with Gilberto GilGilberto GilGilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
) - 1976: África Brasil
- 1976: Samba Nova
- 1977: Tropical
- 1978: A Banda Do Zé Pretinho
- 1979: Salve Simpatia
- 1980: Alô, Alô, Como Vai?
- 1981: Bem Vinda Amizade
- 1983: Dadiva
- 1984: Sonsual
- 1986: Ben Brasil
- 1989: Ben Jor
- 1992: Live In Rio
- 1994: 23
- 1995: Homo Sapiens
- 1997: Musicas Para Tocar Em Elevador
- 2000: Puro Suingue
- 2002: Acústico MTV - Double CD release, available jointly or separately, consisting of Admiral Jorge V and Banda do Zé Pretinho
- 2004: Reactivus Amor Est (Turba Philosophorum)
- 2006: Sou da Pesada (7 Samurai Afroraduno Remix)/A Joven Samba *(Klasick Remix)
- 2007: Recuerdos de Assunción 443"
- 2008: Favourites: From Samba Esquema Novo 1963 - África Brasil 1976
External links
- Official Site
- 'Brazil's alchemist of funk' - 2004 interview with Jorge Ben Jor (in English)
- 1996 interview with Jorge Ben Jor from Brazilian Music Up to Date (in English and Portuguese)
- Jorge Ben discography on Slipcue.com
- Jorge Ben profiled by Bobby Brazuka