Chico Balla

Chico Balla formed in São Paulo in the early 1970s around guitarist and singer Chico Saraiva. The band's sound drew from samba and Gypsy rhythms, which came together on their 1994 self-titled debut album. Their song 'Linha Cigana' appeared two years later and became their best-known track.

That song, along with 'Sina de Passarinho,' shows their approach: melodic samba arrangements with a wandering, reflective quality. Over time, the lineup shifted around Saraiva, with musicians like Ana Luiza on vocals and Ricardo Silveira on bass passing through. They recorded six studio albums and worked with artists including Gilberto Gil and Marisa Monte.

Some listeners questioned how the group incorporated Gypsy musical elements, though Saraiva maintained his respect for the tradition. The band kept performing, their live shows built around those rhythmic blends and Saraiva's steady presence at the center.