| Paulo Vanzolini | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Paulo Emilio Vanzolini |
| Born | April 25, 1923 |
| Origin | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Genres | samba |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, zoologist |
| Instruments | Voice |
| Years active | 1942–present |
Paulo Emilio Vanzolini (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpawlu eˈmiliu vɐ̃zoˈlini]; April 25, 1923) is a Brazilian scientist and music composer. He is best known by his samba compositions, including the famous 'Ronda' and 'Boca da Noite', and for his scientific works in herpetology. He is considered one of the greatest samba composers from São Paulo. Although retired as a scientist, he still conducts research at the University of São Paulo (USP).[1]
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Paulo Vanzolini was born in São Paulo. When he was four years old, his family moved to Rio de Janeiro where he lived for two years. In 1930, he came back to São Paulo where he studied all his life. In 1942, Vanzolini started studying medicine. At this period, he used to go out with friends whole nights and along these nights he composed his first songs.
In 1944, he worked at Rádio América, with his cousin. However, as Vanzolini was drafted into the army, he had to stop his work and studies. Two years later, he restarted the medicine course and became a school teacher and a researcher for Museu de Zoologia, of University of São Paulo. In 1947, he graduated in medicine. One year later, he married and went to USA where he received his PhD in zoology at Harvard University.
Between 1963 and 1993, Vanzolini served as director of Museu de Zoologia, becoming a famous zoologist. He was responsible for assembling one of the largest collections of reptiles and a large library about these kind of animals. Although retired since 1993, the zoologist and musician still has a research affiliation with the Museu de Zoologia of University of São Paulo.
Paulo Vanzolini composed his first sambas during the years he studied medicine. However, his greatest hits were composed in 1950's. In 1951, after obtaining his PhD and returning to Brazil, he composed 'Ronda' and, in 1959, he composed 'Volta por cima'. These songs were recorded by many Brazilian artists.
For years, despite the success of his songs, Vanzolini never recorded an album. Only in 1967, his friends Luís Carlos Paraná and Marcus Pereira, produced an album containing Vanzolini's songs. It was named Onze sambas e uma capoeira and it counts on the participation of famous artists, like Toquinho and Chico Buarque.
In 1969, he composed with Toquinho. The results of this partnership were released in that same year in the album Boca da Noite, by Toquinho. It worths to note tha Toquinho was the only Vanzolini's partner along his musician and composer career.
In 1981, Vanzolini recorded Por ele mesmo. This is the one and only LP played by himself. Excluded this album, the only way to listen him singing was at Boate Jogral where he used to play.
In 2003, Vanzolini was honored with the release of the album Acerto de contas. It is a collection of his songs played by the most famous artists of Brazil.