Jorge Mário da Silva, 8 June 1970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, composer and actor Seu Jorge was raised in the slums of Rio, an upbringing he has referenced in both his music and film work. Abandoned to the streets at an early age, he survived by cleaning sidewalks and sleeping rough. His life turned around when a stranger gave him an old guitar. He began performing in bars around Rio, playing guitar and singing his own compositions. At the same time he worked as a jobbing actor in local plays, performing with the Tuerj theatrical company. His first notable break came in 1998 when he wrote and performed on the debut album by Farofa Carioca, a samba pop band he had joined in the mid-90s. The positive press generated by Moro No Brasil led to a solo recording contract and a chance to collaborate with noted hip-hop producer Mario Caldato. The ensuing Samba Esporte Fino was released in 1999. The album, a charming collection of samba-influenced Latin acoustic pop, was highly rated in the singer’s homeland and was voted Album Of The Year by Brazilian music critics. The album was retitled Carolina for international release.
In 2002, Jorge’s launched his acting career with a prominent role as Knockout Ned in the brilliant Brazilian film Cidade De Deus aka City Of God. Two years later he combined his music and acting skills in Wes Anderson’s quirky The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, appearing in the role of safety expert Pelé Dos Santos, and performing bossa nova cover versions of five David Bowie songs including ‘Life On Mars?’, ‘Rebel Rebel’ and ‘Queen Bitch’. Hollywood Records subsequently released an album collecting all the Bowie tracks Jorge recorded for the soundtrack, alongside the original ‘Team Zissou’. During this period, Jorge also completed his second album. Cru gained the singer further critical plaudits when it was released at the end of 2004. The album included cover versions of the Leiber And Stoller chestnut ‘Don’t’ and Serge Gainsbourg’s ‘Chatterton’, alongside notable originals such as ‘Mani De Peitão’ (Large Chested Mania) and ‘Eu Sou Favela’ (I Am Favela). The latter recounted Jorge’s upbringing in the slums of Rio de Janeiro.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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Jorge Mário da Silva, 8 June 1970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, composer and actor Seu Jorge was raised in the slums of Rio, an upbringing he has referenced in both his music and film work. Abandoned to the streets at an early age, he survived by cleaning sidewalks and sleeping rough. His life turned around when a stranger gave him an old guitar. He began performing in bars around Rio, playing guitar and singing his own compositions. At the same time he worked as a jobbing actor in local plays, performing with the Tuerj theatrical company. His first notable break came in 1998 when he wrote and performed on the debut album by Farofa Carioca, a samba pop band he had joined in the mid-90s. The positive press generated by Moro No Brasil led to a solo recording contract and a chance to collaborate with noted hip-hop producer Mario Caldato. The ensuing Samba Esporte Fino was released in 1999. The album, a charming collection of samba-influenced Latin acoustic pop, was highly rated in the singer’s homeland and was voted Album Of The Year by Brazilian music critics. The album was retitled Carolina for international release.