Velha Guarda

Velha Guarda formed in Rio de Janeiro during the 1960s as a collective of experienced samba musicians. They came together with the specific purpose of preserving and passing on traditional samba forms, which have roots in the African diaspora. The group included figures like Darcy da Mangueira, Nelson Sargento, Zé Kéti, and Clementina de Jesus in its original lineup.

Their 1997 live album 'Ao Vivo no Teatro Rival' captures their approach well, as do later recordings like 'Samba É Nosso Dom' from 2001 and 'Velha Guarda na Roda de Samba' from 2005. The song 'Lá no Céu' became one of their better-known pieces, reflecting their dedication to maintaining samba's traditional structures and emotional textures.

Over time, other musicians joined the collective, including Sereno, Mestre Marçal, Almir Guineto, and Acyr Marques. Their work has sometimes been described as conservative by critics who favored more contemporary samba directions, but the group maintained its focus on traditional forms throughout.