Jorge Ben -

Jorge Ben is a Brazilian samba-soul singer-songwriter who released twenty-three albums between 1963 and 1975 on Philips and Som Livre. His debut, Samba esquema novo, included “Mas que Nada” and “Chove Chuva.” He recorded “País Tropical” for Jorge Ben (1969), then released A tábua de esmeralda (1974) and África Brasil (1976). He adopted the name Jorge Ben Jor in 1989 and released “W/Brasil (Chama o síndico)” on the 1991 concert album Jorge Ben Jor ao vivo no Rio.

Background

Jorge Ben was born Jorge Lima Menezes on March 22, 1942, in Rio de Janeiro. He grew up in Rio Comprido and Tijuca. His father, Augusto Menezes, unloaded ships and played pandeiro with the Cometas do Bispo carnival bloc. Augusto also composed carnival songs. Ben’s mother, Sílvia, played guitar.

As a teenager, Ben learned pandeiro and surdo. Augusto secured a scholarship to a Catholic seminary in Rio, where Ben studied piano, organ, Latin language, and Gregorian chant. He taught himself guitar from a beginner’s manual gifted by Sylvia. In Tijuca, he joined the rock listeners who met at Bar Divino on Rua do Matoso. His repeated singing of Ronnie Self’s “Bop-a-Lena” earned him the nickname Babulina.

Around 1961, bassist Manuel Gusmão invited Ben to rehearse with the Copa Trio. Organist Zé Maria engaged him as a pandeiro player at the Little Club in Copacabana’s Beco das Garrafas. Ben later sang and played guitar at Bottle’s in the same alley. He also sang rock at the Plaza nightclub.

Zé Maria recorded Ben singing “Mas que Nada” and “Por Causa de Você, Menina” for Tudo azul. Songwriter João Mello heard Ben at Bottle’s and recommended the singer to Philips producer Armando Pittigliani. Bassist Manuel Gusmão took Ben to the label for an audition; Pittigliani signed the singer. Philips issued a 78 rpm record of the two songs with Meirelles and the Copa 5 in July 1963. Pittigliani then prepared Ben’s first LP, Samba esquema novo.

Discography:

Samba esquema novo (1963)
Ben é samba bom (1964)
Sacundin Ben samba (1964)
Big Ben (1965)
O Bidú: Silêncio no Brooklin (1967)
Jorge Ben (1969)
Fôrça bruta (1970)
Negro é lindo (1971)
Ben (1972)
10 anos depois (1973)
A Tábua de Esmeralda (1974)
Solta o pavão (1975)
Ogum Xangô (1975 • Gilberto Gil & Jorge Ben)
África Brasil (1976)
Tropical (1977)
A Banda do Zé Pretinho (1978)
Salve simpatia (1979)
Alô Alô, Como Vai? (1980)
Bem-Vinda Amizade (1981)
Dádiva (1984)
Sonsual (1985)
Jorge Ben Brasil (1986)
Ben Jor (1989 • Benjor)

Sources

“Este é o cantor mais discutido de 1963,” Revista do Rádio, September 28, 1963. Contemporary interview on Ben’s name, Bottle’s appearances, João Mello, and first Philips record. (Interview transcription).
Pedro Alexandre Sanches, “Jorge Ben Jor, o homem Patropi,” Trip, November 10, 2009. Ben discusses his parents, seminary scholarship, football, early compositions, and the Beco das Garrafas. (Trip).
Matheus Luzi, interview with Kamille Viola, December 17, 2020. The biographer describes Ben’s early percussion playing, his mother’s guitar, and his seminary music studies. (Revista Arte Brasileira).
“Jorge Benjor,” MPBNet. Details Gusmão’s invitation, the Little Club and Plaza engagements, and the guitar and manual from Ben’s mother. (MPBNet).
J. T. Meirelles interview, published June 6, 2008. Meirelles recalls Ben’s Bottle’s appearances, Gusmão’s visit to Philips, and Pittigliani’s response. (Ronaldo Evangelista).
Zé Maria, Tudo azul, Continental, 1963. Catalog entry identifies Ben as the singer on both compositions. (Instituto Memória Musical Brasileira).
“Um samba como esse, tão legal: a estreia de Jorge Ben,” March 22, 2022. Identifies the July 1963 Philips 78, the Copa 5 personnel, and the subsequent LP sessions. (Discografia Brasileira).
Kamille Viola’s birth-record findings, reported November 29, 2020. Prints Ben’s stated birth date and explains why Viola regards the 1939 record as probable. (UOL).