Photo: Sounds of David · Public domain · credits
Tier 3 · vertical & regional
Sivuca
Person · male · Brazil · Itabaiana · born 1930 · died 2006 · recording since 1956
Brazilian musician (1930–2006)
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Also known as シヴーカ
Timeline
23 events▣ Album 20◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1† Death 1
1930s
1950s
· Debut release
Debut release: Eis Sivuca
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
Biography
English biography357 words · 5 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1348242409
Biography
Severino Dias de Oliveira (May 26, 1930 – December 14, 2006), known professionally as Sivuca, was a Brazilian accordionist, guitarist and singer. In addition to his home state of Paraíba, Brazil, and cities Recife and Rio de Janeiro, he worked and lived in Paris, Lisbon, and New York City intermittently. He has two daughters, Wilma Da Silva and Flavia de Oliveira Barreto.
He worked with Scandinavian jazz musicians in the 1980s. His most famous songs are "João e Maria" with lyrics by Chico Buarque and "Feira de Mangaio", named after the artisan markets of northeast Brazil. He used makeshift instruments alongside conventional ones and combined traditional regional styles such as forró and choro with jazz, bossa nova, and classical music. Sivuca and Hermeto Pascoal, both versatile multi-instrumentalists with albinism, worked together and are sometimes confused with each other.
Career
His professional career began in Pernambuco where he went at the age of 15, and continued in his first album with Humberto Teixeira (1950), leading to work in radio and television in Rio de Janeiro from 1955. With "Os Brasileiros" he toured Europe (1958).
New York 1964–1976
He moved to New York City (1964–76) and worked with Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte among others. Archival footage of his work with Makeba can be seen in Mika Kaurismäki's documentary Mama Africa (2011). Makeba included his baião tune "(Adeus) Maria Fulô" on her 1966 album All About Miriam. He recorded with Putte Wickman (Putte Wickman & Sivuca, 1969). He also collaborated with the husband-and-wife team of Oscar Brown and Jean Pace on Joy, an off-Broadway musical show that was performed at the New Theatre in 1970, and the production's original cast recording which was released by RCA Victor that same year. In 1975, he contributed accordion and backing vocals to the track "I Do It For Your Love" on Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years album.
1980s
He recorded with Ulf Wakenius's "Guitars Unlimited" (1987) and Sylvia Vrethammar (Rio de Janeiro Blue, 1985; Rendezvous in Rio, 1995). His "Sivuca Brazilian Group" toured Scandinavia in 1990.
Final years
Sivuca was hospitalized on December 12 and died on December 14, 2006, after suffering from cancer for two-years.
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 13 | 67.6th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 26 | 89.3th |
| Studio albums | 20 | 96.4th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 23 | 95th |
| Recording span (years) | 50 | 90.9th |
| Genres | 1 | 56th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (26 release groups · 20 studio albums)
Albums · 20
1956 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 23:36
1Lover2:562Corrupio1:553Música Em Carrossel2:024Coração1:535Morena Boca De Ouro3:246Tocatta Em Ré Menor2:127Vôo Do Besouro1:188Primeiro Amor1:379Tenebroso2:2310Quando Me Lembro3:561959 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks
A1Vê Se GostasA2MangericãoA3Sivuca No FrêvoA4DelicadoA5Na GlóriaA6Eu Não Morro Sem Ver ParisB1É Luxo SóB2BrasilerinhoB3Mulata AssanhadaB4O Apito No SambaB5Sinfonia Do CaféB6Copacabana1963 · studio album
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Tracklist · 21 tracks · 54:32
1Samba de uma nota só2:442Fala amor2:473Maria ninguém2:344Rosinha2:175Sempre3:066Rapaz de bem3:087Não me diga adeus2:358Ho-ba la-la2:209Recado2:4810Deixa o breque pra mim3:0011Desafinado2:4612Rancho fundo2:0613Flor de abacate2:2414É luxo só2:1415Tico-tico (no fubá)2:0516Bahia2:5817Feitiço da Vila2:5618Fita amarela2:2619Apanhei-te cavaquinho2:0220Copacabana2:2121Homenagem à Velha Guarda2:551973 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 37:39
1Adeus Maria Fulô3:332Tunnel5:013Amor verdadeiro (True Love)2:194Ponteio3:135Arrasta pé (Partytime, Northeast Brazil)4:236Você Abusou (I’m Free as a Bird)2:587Inquietação (Foolishness of Young Love)4:008Ain’t No Sunshine4:489Lament of Berimbau4:0710Rosa na favela (A Rose Born in the Ghetto)3:171978 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 37:13
1Mãe África3:452A História Se Repete3:563Nosso Encontro3:104Fogo Pago4:045Doce Doce3:316Les Joies Du Matin3:357O Dia Em Que El Rei Voltou A Terra De Santa Cruz3:228João E Maria2:129Barra Vai Quebrando2:5010Céu E Mar3:3811Samburá De Peixe Miúdo3:101980 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 32:41
1Energia3:552No tampo das quintas3:253Te pego na mentira2:584Músicos e poetas2:415Macho e femea3:236Cabelo de milho3:137Estrela guia3:198Cantador latino3:439Cada um torce como pode2:4810Feira de Mangaio3:161980 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 27:25
1Frevo sanfonado2:402O baile do Bio Laurinda2:273Queixo de cobra3:024Folião ausente2:365Dançando em Pipirituba2:456Forró e frevo2:447Fava de cheiro2:378Gostosão2:439Asa branca5:511981 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks
A1Forró Da BichardaA2Vou Vida AforaA3Sonho De NeveA4ImaginaçãoA5Bate, Tome, Toca E CaiB1Coisas Nº 10B2Arapuã Fazendo MelB3Nunca Mais Eu Vi EsperançaB4BailadoB5Fim De Leilão1982 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 27:48
1Feira de São Cristovão3:012Eu gosto desse moço3:163Forro chorado2:404Mogeiro de cima, mogeiro de baixo2:345Sábado em Jaboatão2:256Caete3:017Estranho vanerão2:508Forró na gafieira2:309Caboré molhado2:5810Luzia no frevo2:331983 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 33:56
1Central Do Brasil3:522Conto De Fadas3:093Em Cada Parte Em Cada Ponte3:254Imburana Pau-De-Abelha2:545Subindo Ao Céu3:336Onça Caetana3:557Novas Canções2:568Mistura Fina4:099Pro Que Der E Vier2:3310Amigo De Fé3:301987 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 39:59
1O amanhã5:392Forró do ABC3:333Toada3:044Sanfona e realejo3:015Seleção de choros / Doce de côco / Vale tudo / Apanhei-te cavaquinho4:416San vicente3:547Forró bachiano3:448Espraiado2:539Os meninos da mangueira4:3810Você é linda4:521987 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 36:55
1Coisa №104:082Vassourinhas3:073Chorinho pra ele2:234Trem caipira3:315Cheirinho de mulher5:536Noites cariocas4:457Cada um torce como pode2:308Tequila sunrise3:599Nilopolitano3:2510Xorinho com X3:14Um Pé no Asfalto, Um Pé na Buraqueira
1990 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks
1Bom e Bonito2Um Pé no Asfalto, Outro na Buraqueira3Casa Amarela4Forró da Gente5Entortando o Forró6Quem Disse que o Frevo Acabou7Sanhauá8Arco-Íris9Brejo das Freiras10Guararema1993 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 48:38
1Pau doido2:542Fuga para o Nordeste3:493Riacho Seco6:074Seu Tenório5:235Deixo o breque pra mim4:336Forró na Penha3:097Que par seria3:218Mergulho4:249Forró em Timbaúba2:5410Um tom pra Jobim4:3111Canção piazzollada3:3812Jazz tupiniquim3:551997 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 45:22
1Aboio0:422Quando me lembro4:133Da cor do pecado3:214Subindo ao céu3:245Dino pintando o sete cordas3:496Guciara2:397Em nome do amor3:358Ainda me recordo2:489Lembrando Recife (Mexe com tudo • Luzia no frevo • Evocação)3:0410Forró praieiro3:2311Canção que se imagina3:4712Aquariana3:3713Véu de grinalda4:1714Tocata em ré menor2:431998 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 28:31
1Kurikutela2:302Tala On N'Bundo2:223Muxima4:004Mana Fatita1:445Kangrima2:426Eh! Sambá2:157Kabulo2:218Maria Candimba2:039Kyrie2:4110Txizenguê2:0011Iliza (Gomara Saia)1:5312Mulowa2:002004 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 43:27
1Choro de cordel4:522Em nome do amor3:393Sanhavá2:234Luz4:495Filhos da Iva4:376Chibanca no Uirapuru1:547Canção piazzollada3:498Minha Luiza3:279Aquariana3:2810Um tom para Jobim3:1011Espreguiçando3:2812Feira de Mangaio3:512004 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 43:58
1Feira de Mangaio4:092Dança da moda / Qui nem jiló / Fuga da África3:453Eu só quero um xodó2:544Baião3:065Feijoada / Pagode russo / O sanfoneiro só tocava isso4:356Cada um belisca um pouco4:157Nilopolitano2:488Sabiá / Numa sala de reboco / Xote das meninas4:449Adeus Maria Fulô3:3010Isso aqui tá bom demais / Quero chá / Pedras que cantam2:5211Roseira do norte3:4512Asa branca3:352006 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:08:35
1Quando Me Lembro3:462Amoroso Coração3:363A Doce Canção de Nélida3:424Comigo Só3:185Sempre uma Presença4:556A Chama do Amor5:017Barra Vai Quebrando2:468Mãe África4:289De Bom Grado3:5110Um Sol em Mim4:0511Visitando Zabelê3:5912Terra Esperança5:3013A Vida é uma Festa5:4914João E Maria4:3515Aquariana3:3916Feira de Mangaio5:352007 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 45:14
1Amoroso coração3:362Um sol em mim4:053Barra vai quebrando2:514De bom grado3:525A doce canção de Nélida3:406A chama do amor5:217Sempre uma presença4:478Mãe-África4:259Comigo só3:1610Visitando Zabelê3:5411Terra esperanca5:27
Album · 6
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | JoySearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks · 1:00:171Time2:49 2What Is a Friend?2:48 3Funny Feelin'3:52 4Under the Sun2:31 5Wimmen's Ways10:57 6Brown Baby4:02 7Mother Africa's Day3:22 8A New Generation3:01 9Sky and Sea5:00 10If I Only Had3:20 11Nothing But a Fool3:08 12Much as I Love You3:33 13Afro Blue3:07 14Funky World8:47 | Soundtrack | 1 February 1970 | |
| 1977 | Gravado ao VivoSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 8 tracks · 36:52A1Homenagem à Velha Guarda3:25 A2Quando me lembro • Vassourinha10:14 A3Reunião de tristeza2:42 A4Feira de Mangaio2:28 B1Asa branca7:24 B2Adeus, Maria Fulô3:54 B3Lamento3:08 B4Tema do boneco de palha3:37 | Live | 1977 | |
| 1998 | Seleção de OuroSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 20 tracks · 1:06:381Xanana2:53 2Asa Branca5:56 3Frevo Sanfonado2:43 4Cabelo De Milho3:21 5Adeus Maria Fulô3:32 6Fava De Cheiro2:36 7Forro Chorado2:41 8Feira De Mangaio3:26 9Dançando Em Pipirituba2:44 10Ponteio3:15 11Energia4:00 12Queixo De Cobra2:59 13Alagamar2:58 14Mãe África3:48 15Fogo Pago4:08 16Forró Da Bicharada3:01 17Picadinho3:10 18Voce Abusou3:00 19Rosa Da Favela3:22 20Nas Quebradas3:05 | Compilation | 1998 | |
| 1999 | Raízes NordestinasSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 20 tracks · 1:05:391Adeus Maria Fulô3:30 2No Tempo Dos Quintais3:29 3Te Pego Na Mentira3:04 4Asa Branca5:52 5Folião Ausente2:35 6O Baile de Bio Laurinda2:28 7Doce Doce3:30 8Caxangá2:42 9Forró da Bicharada3:00 10Arapuã Fazendo Mel3:01 11Roseira do Norte3:47 12Forró e Frevo2:45 13Forró em Santa Luzia2:23 14Come e Dorme3:37 15Capoeira, Poeira3:27 16Bailado3:22 17Caeté3:00 18Feira De São Cristóvão3:03 19Tributo a Nelson Ferreira2:56 20Nunca Mais Eu Vi Esperança4:08 | Compilation | 1999 | |
| 2023 | SempreSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 11 tracks · 29:381Sempre3:03 2Recado2:45 3Desafinado2:46 4Fala Amor2:44 5Rapaz De Bem3:05 6Maria Ninguem2:31 7Samba De Uma Nota So2:42 8Rosinha2:15 9Ho-Ba La-La2:18 10Nao Me Digas Adeus2:32 11Deixa O Breque Pra Mim2:57 | Compilation | 29 May 2023 | |
| — | Seleção De Ouro - SivucaSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks · 34:221Xanana2:50 2Queixo De Cobra2:57 3Alagamar2:58 4Vale Do Rio Do Peixe3:00 5São João De Sapoti2:53 6Forro Chorado2:39 7Quadrilha Do Bacurau3:47 8Feira De Itabaiana2:27 9Dançando Em Pipirituba2:43 10Fava De Cheiro2:34 11Forró Em Santa Luzia2:22 12Furiosa De Quipapa3:12 | Compilation | — |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Sivuca head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 13 | 67.6th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 26 | 89.3th |
| Studio albums | 20 | 96.4th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 23 | 95th |
| Recording span (years) | 50 | 90.9th |
| Genres | 1 | 56th |
Awards & honours
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Os Brasileiros(band) | — | present |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sivuca.pngaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/130ba5d4-4d6f-4224-86bc-0f4a0cfb6b22discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/130ba5d4-4d6f-4224-86bc-0f4a0cfb6b22core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q539833genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q539833seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sivucabiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sivuca
Why this artist is in the database
- List of Brazilian musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Sounds of David · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q539833 · MusicBrainz: 130ba5d4-4d6f-4224-86bc-0f4a0cfb6b22
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