Jota Alves

Jota Alves was born José Tavares de Alves in 1935 in Salvador, Bahia. His father was a musician, and early on he absorbed the sounds of samba masters like João Gilberto and Ary Barroso. He started performing in nightclubs during the 1950s.

His 1967 album 'Saudade' gave him wider recognition, with the title track becoming his most remembered song. He kept recording through the decades, putting out albums like 'Samba de São Paulo' in 1971 and 'Canção do Tempo' in 1980. He worked with various musicians, including guitarists Roberto Menescal and Baden Powell.

In 1972, Alves was arrested for marijuana possession, an incident that drew attention at the time. He continued making music that blended personal reflection with social observation until his death in 2018.