ASTOR SILVA

Bairros E Subúrbios Do Rio (1958)

Astor Silva (10/02/1922-12/02/1968)  was born in the neighborhood of Rio Comprido, Rio de Janeiro.

He started his career as a trombonist in dancing clubs.  Around 1940, he started working at Cassino da Urca and in others on the region of Copacabana and Icaraí.  In 1946, when the casinos were closed all over Brazil, he became part of the Orquestra Tabajara, directed by Severino Araújo, and toured through Brazil, Argentina, Uruguai, France and other countries.  Still as part of the Orquestra Tabajara he played at Rádio Tupy.  Later, he moved to the maestro Carioca's orchestra, who worked for Rádio Tupy.  He also played at the Night And Day nightclub and at the TV Rio.  He was music director for various recording companies.  At CBS he was also chief arranger.  In the beginning of 1950, started his own group and played for Todamérica, supporting Flora Matos, Garotos da Lua, Virgínia Lane, Zilá Fonseca, Ademilde Fonseca and Raul Moreno.  In 1952, his choro "Chorinho Da Noite" was recorded at Continental by Severino Araújo and his Orquestra Tabajara.  In 1953, he recorded for Todamérica the choro "Pisando Macio" and "Baião Diferente", by Marcos Valentin.  During the next year he also recorded with his group the choro "No Melhor Da Festa" and "Baião Lusitano", both his compositions.  By this time he started directing his own orchestra and released the mambo "Mambomengo" and the samba "Sete Estrelas", also his compositions.  Still in 1954 his choro "Alta Noite", composed with Del Loro, was recorded at Sinter by Jamelão.  He worked with his orchestra for Todamérica and played, among others, with Dóris Monteiro on the songs "Marcha Do Apartamento" and the samba "Sacrifício Não Se Pede".  By 1955 he played with his group and orchestra at Continental supporting Moreira da Silva, Nora Ney, Bill Farr and Emilinha Borba.

Between 1960 and 1963 he worked with his group and orchestra for Columbia.  In 1960 he was one of the persons responsible for the hit "Beija-Me", by Roberto Martins and Mário Rossi, recorded by Elza Soares with his arrangements.  In 1961, he supported the then unkown singer Roberto Carlos on his 78 rpm with the songs "Louco Por Você" and "Não É Por Mim".  He also supported the recordings of Risadinha, Wanderléa (also starting her career), Cyro Monteiro, Rossini Pinto, Elis Regina on her first recordings, "A Virgem De Macareña" and "1, 2, 3, Balançou".

In 1974 his "Chorinho De Gafieira" was re-recorded by Raul de Barros on the album "Brasil, Trombone" released by the label Marcus Pereira.

Bairros E Subúrbios Do Rio

01. Mangueira (Assis Valente/Zequinha Reis) • 3:04
02. O Catete Vai Passar (Ataulfo Alves) • 4:02
03. A Lapa (Herivelto Martins/Benedito Lacerda) • 3:02
04. Samba Do Méier (Dunga/Wilson Baptista) • 1:42
05. Sábado Em Copacabana (Dorival Caymmi/Carlos Guinle) • 3:19
06. Samba Da Gávea (Haroldo Lobo/João Baptista) • 2:25
07. Na Piedade (Ary Barroso)  3:16
08. São Cristóvão (Aristides Borges/S. Quelma) • 2:09
09. Samba De Botafogo (Eratóstenes Frazão/Antonio Nássara) • 2:55
10. Vou À Penha (Ary Barroso) • 2:07
11. Eu Vou Pra Vila (Noel Rosa) • 3:08
12. Flamengo (B. de Oliveira) • 3:32