Moacir Santos centenary celebrated with musical in Recife

The Teatro do Parque in Recife will host a musical performance this Sunday to celebrate the centenary of Moacir Santos, the renowned composer, conductor, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist from Pernambuco. The production, titled ‘Canto e Encanto Pernambuco – Ouro Negro: 100 Anos de Moacir Santos’, explores his unique musical identity by blending Afro-Brazilian rhythms, sertão influences, and jazz elements.

Santos, known for his 1965 classic album ‘Coisas’ and his role as the first Black orchestrator for Rádio Nacional, left a significant legacy that influenced major MPB artists. His career gained international recognition after he moved to the United States in 1967, where he worked as a music professor, collaborated with jazz legends, and composed film scores for Hollywood alongside maestros such as Henry Mancini.

The musical features more than 80 students and teachers and is the result of social music education work conducted by the Núcleo Musical Irmã Scheilla, part of the Fraternidade Espírita Peixotinho since 2010.