The culture of Brasilia is in mourning. The singer, composer and cultural activist Carlos Elias, recognized and much loved in the city for promoting Brazilian music, especially samba, has died in projects since the 1970s such as the Clube do Samba and the Feira da Música, as well as the Camisa Listada bar, which held live shows.
Carlos Elias arrived in the city in 1975, transferred from Rio de Janeiro by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, already revered as a composer of the Portela samba school. In 1962, he composed the samba theme song for the school. Rugendas – Picturesque Journeys through Brazilin partnership with Zé Keti, Nílton Batatinha and Marcos Balbino. That year, Portela won its 16th carnival.
“Back then, samba had to be really good,” says singer and composer Breno Alves from the current generation of musicians from Brasília.
“[Ele] He was an incredible artist. A very generous person, who defended the samba banner with great strength and honor, with great determination,” says Breno.
Singer Teresa Lopes, a sought-after artist in the city, also lamented the loss of the “teacher” and “exquisite composer”:
“[CarlosElias}wasanimportantguyasadrivingforcebehindthecultureofBrasíliaHewaspureloveandpurelight”[CarlosElias}eraumcaraimportantecomoimpulsionadordaculturadeBrasíliaEleerapuroamorepuraluz”
Carlos Elias died at the age of 91, due to pneumonia. The Faculty of Communications of the University of Brasília (UnB) made a film about the samba singer. documentary is available on the profile of director Leandro Borges da Silveira, on YouTube.
