Haroldo Reis

Haroldo Reis was born in Pernambuco, Brazil in 1939. He started performing on radio shows like 'Terra dos Contrastes' in the mid-1950s, playing accordion and guitar. His 1959 song 'Sol e o Mar' became a hit, blending baião and bossa nova rhythms with lyrics co-written by Gerson Thirrê. The song's celebration of cachaça drew some criticism at the time, but it remained popular.

Reis recorded over 40 albums, working with musicians like accordionist Zelito Miranda and bassist Zito Borborema. Songs like 'Cândida' and 'Coração de Papel' show his range within Brazilian styles. He faced legal issues around royalties in the 1970s but kept performing and recording until his death in 2006.

His music draws from coastal Brazilian life, with songs like 'Era Domingo' and 'Fim de Primavera' reflecting that sensibility. While sometimes called the 'King of Baião,' his work includes various Brazilian rhythms rather than sticking to one style.