Antônio Candeia Filho

Antônio Candeia Filho better known as Candeia (August 17, 1935 – November 16, 1978) was a Brazilian samba singer, songwriter, and musician.

Early life

Born in Rio de Janeiro to Antonio Candeio and Dona Maria, Antonio was a renowned flautist in samba bands and samba schools through the 1930s. His childhood home in Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro was a frequent meeting place for first-generation samba artists including Paulo da Portela, Joao da Gente, Guitar Dina, Claudionor Cruz, Cumpadi Cambé, Zé da Fome and Luperce. These meetings resulted in the establishment of a carnival block which eventually evolved into the Portela (samba school). From age 6, Candeia attended these meetings and later participated musically. In his youth, he learned guitar and ukulele before later joining the Portela school.

Career

In 1953, Candeia composed his first samba, "Seis datas magnas", with Altair Marinho. The samba received the highest score on record by the Rio de Janeiro Carnival jury in 1953.

His career as a police officer ended tragically on December 13, 1965, when he was shot five times during a traffic stop by the driver of the suspect vehicle. One of the bullets lodged in his spinal cord and left him with no movement in his legs. With this paralysis, he was forced to retire from active duty. During this time, Candeia devoted himself exclusively to samba. According to people close to him, he became more sensitive, balanced and free during this time, which changed the character of his music. During this time he reached lyrical maturity, with his lyrics focusing on his disabled condition and his love of samba composing and singing giving him the will to live. Candeia did not live to see his book published. On November 14, 1978, that year, he had an acute kidney issue and he fell into a coma. Candeia was admitted to the Cardoso Fontes Hospital in Jacarepaguá. Candeia died two days later in the morning from a kidney infection.

Discography Studio albums Albums Year Title Medium Record label 1970 Candeia Equipe 1971 Raiz LP Equipe 1975 Samba de roda Tapecar 1977 Luz da inspiração WEA 1978 Axé - Gente amiga do samba WEA

Collaborations Albums Year Title Medium Record label 1964 Mensageiros do Samba Philips 1975 Partido em 5 Volume 1 Tapecar 1975 Partido em 5 Volume 2 Tapecar 1977 Quatro Grandes do Samba RCA Victor