Teixeirinha

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Teixeirinha with Mary Terezinha on accordion

Teixeirinha (pronounced tay-shay-REE-ñuh), given name Vitor Mateus Teixeira, was a Brazilian musician. Teixeirinha is the diminutive form of the common Brazilian surname of Teixeira.

Teixeirinha was born in Rolante, Rio Grande do Sul, on March 3, 1927. Teixeirinha's father, Saturno Teixeira, died when young Vitor was 6 years old. His mother, Ledurina Mateus Teixeira died when Teixeirinha was 9 just years old.

Teixeirinha met his wife Zoraida Lima Teixeira in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, as he traveled through various cities singing on local radio stations trying to start his artistic career. They married in 1957 and moved to Soledade. They subsequently moved to the city of Passo Fundo where Teixeirinha sang on the Municipal Radio of Passo Fundo.

Teixeirinha received his first invite to record in 1959. He recorded "Xote Soledade" and "Briga no Batizado" in São Paulo. In 1961, Teixeirinha had sold more than 1 million albums and the recording house couldn't keep up with demand for his recordings. He subsequently moved to Porto Alegre and lived between that city and São Paulo.

Teixeirinha was accompanied by Mary Terezinha on accordion for 22 years during his recording and performing career. They met in 1961 while playing on Rádio Bagé. She separated from him as a recording partner in 1978 and left him completely in 1982. In 1989, in her book "Agora Eu Falo" (Now, I Will Tell), she tells of her tumultuous and amorous relationship with Teixeirinha.

Teixeirinha died on December 4, 1985, and was survived by 6 daughters and 3 sons. He is buried in the Santa Casa Cemetery in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.