Black Orpheus (Manha de Carnival)

About This Song

Luis Bonfá was born on October 17, 1922, in Rio de Janeiro. Bonfá first gained widespread exposure in Brazil in 1947 when he was featured on Rio’s Rádio Nacional. Bonfá wrote several pieces for Marcel Camus’ film Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro in Portuguese). In the burgeoning days of Rio de Janeiro’s thriving jazz scene, it was commonplace for musicians, artists, and dramatists to collaborate in such theatrical presentations. Bonfá wrote some of the original music featured in the film, including “Samba de Orfeu” and his most famous composition, “Manhã de Carnaval” (the Black Orpheus theme), which has been among the top ten standards played worldwide, according to The Guinness Book of World Records. This arrangement by Stevan Pasero will take the listener on an intriguing journey showcasing a wide range of dynamics and techniques. Listen to Stevan’s rendition, from start to finish, and we hope you agree that this is truly an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind arrangement.