Rosinha de Valença

Maria Rosa Canelas (July 30, 1941 – June 10, 2004), better known as Rosinha de Valença, was a Brazilian composer, arranger and musician. She is considered one of the best acoustic guitarists in Brazilian music and played with many famous artists, including Baden Powell, Sérgio Mendes, Sylvia Telles and Sivuca.

Biography

Maria Rosa Canelas was born in 1941, in Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She became interested in playing acoustic guitar as a child, after seeing her brother playing it. She taught herself by listening to music on the radio. At 12 years old, she played along with many artists from her home town, in bars and on Radio Valença. In 1960, she stopped studying to devote herself to a musical career. The first years were difficult for her as a musician. Her family did not like the idea of her playing guitar and when she started her career, there was little public recognition.

In 1963, Valença moved to Rio de Janeiro. There she met Sérgio Porto, a journalist from Rio de Janeiro. He created her artistic name, describing Canelas as playing for her whole city. So, he called her Rosinha de Valença. Oliveira liked her work and invited her to record an album. It was named Apresentando Rosinha de Valença and was released in that same year. She also played with Nara Leão and Quarteto em Cy.

In that same year, 1964, she travelled to the United States to play with Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '65. During this 8-month tour, Valença recorded two albums with Mendes and his band.

Legacy After Valença went into a coma, many artists recorded her songs as tribute to her.

In 2000, Valença was honored by a benefit concert, organized by Jalusa Barcellos, member of Secretaria Estadual de Cultura, and presented by Sérgio Cabral. This event was named Uma noite para Rosinha (One night for Rosinha), with Haroldo Costa as general director, and Jorge Simas as musical director. Among the many contributing notable artists were Beth Carvalho, Dona Ivone Lara, Francis Hime, Olívia Hime, João Nogueira, Joyce, Leci Brandão, Miúcha, MPB-4, Paulinho da Viola and Quarteto em Cy.

Valença's songs have been covered by Martinho da Vila, Joanna, Zezé Motta, Rui Maurity, Tito Madi, Nana Caymmi, César Camargo Mariano, Wanderléa, Leci Brandão, Maria Bethânia and Paulinho Nogueira.

Discography

Studio albums 1964: Apresentando Rosinha de Valença (Elenco) 1970: Rosinha de Valença apresenta Ipanema Beat (RCA Victor) 1971: Um violão em primeiro plano (RCA Victor) 1973: Rosinha de Valença (Som Livre) 1976: Cheiro de Mato''' (Odean) 1980: Violões em dois estilos (Som Livre), with Waltel Branco 1990: Rosinha de Valença & Flavio Faria (feat. Toots Thielemans; Iris Music)

Live albums 1966: Rosinha de Valença ao vivo (Forma) 1975: Rosinha de Valença e banda ao vivo (Odeon) 1977: Sivuca e Rosinha de Valença ao vivo (RCA Pure Gold), with Sivuca

As contributor 1965: Bud Shank & His Brazilian Friends (Pacific Jazz) by Bud Shank, with João Donato 1965: Brasil 65 (Capitol), by Wanda de Sah featuring Sérgio Mendes Trio 1965: In person at El Matador'' (Atlantic), by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '65