Quick Facts
Biography
Djavan (Brazilian Portuguese: [dʒaˈvɐ̃]; full name Djavan Caetano Viana) (born 27 January 1949) is a Brazilian singer/songwriter. His music, combines traditional Brazilian rhythms with popular music drawn from the Americas, Europe and Africa.
Biography
Born into a poor family in Maceió (capital of Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil), Djavan formed the group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD – "Light, Sound, Dimension"), playing Beatles' singles. In 1973, Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing in local nightclubs. After competing in several festivals, he gained attention and recorded the album A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan in 1976. The album included the song "Flor de Lis," which became one of his most memorable hits. Albums that followed included his other musical influence, African music, and additional hits followed, such as "Açaí", "Sina," and "Samurai," which featured Stevie Wonder's harmonica. His best-known compositions are: "Flor de lis", "Meu Bem Querer," "Oceano," "Se...," "Faltando um Pedaço," "Esquinas," "Te devoro," and "Serrado".
Djavan's compositions have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, The Manhattan Transfer, Aaron Goldberg, Loredana Berté, Eliane Elias, Lee Ritenour; and in Brazil by Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi and Nana Caymmi (son and daughter of Dorival Caymmi), Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and other artists. The 1988, Epic Records single, "Stephen's Kingdom," featured a guest appearance from Stevie Wonder.
In 1998, Djavan contributed "Dukeles" to the AIDS benefit compilation album Onda Sonora: Red Hot + Lisbon produced by the Red Hot Organization.
In 1999, his live concert double-volume album, Ao Vivo, sold 1.2 million copies and the song, "Acelerou" became the Brazilian Song of the Year at the 2000 Latin Grammy Awards. In 2016, he was nominated for the 2016 Grammy Awards in the Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Portuguese Language Song and Best Singer-Songwriter Album categories.
Discography
- 1976 A Voz, O Violão, A Música de Djavan, Som Livre LP, CD
- 1978 Djavan, EMI/Odeon LP, CD
- 1980 Alumbramento, EMI/Odeon LP, CD
- 1981 Seduzir, EMI/Odeon LP, CD
- 1982 Luz, Sony Music LP, CD
- 1983 Para Viver Um Grande Amor, (film soundtrack), CBS, LP
- 1984 Lilás, CBS, LP, CD
- 1986 Meu Lado, CBS LP, CD
- 1986 Brazilian Knights and a Lady (with Ivan Lins and Patti Austin), VHS
- 1987 Não é Azul Mas é Mar, CBS, LP, CD
- 1987 Bird of Paradise, Columbia, CD
- 1989 Djavan Puzzle of Hearts, CBS CD
- 1992 Coisa de Acender, Sony Music, CD
- 1994 Esquinas, Sony Music, CD
- 1995 Novena, Sony Music, CD
- 1996 Malásia, Sony Music, CD
- 1998 Bicho Solto O XIII, Sony Music, CD
- 1999 Ao Vivo (2-volume live concert set), Epic/Sony Music, CD, DVD
- 2001 Milagreiro, Epic/Sony Music, CD
- 2004 Vaidade, Luanda Records, CD
- 2005 Na Pista, Etc., Luanda Records, CD
- 2007 Matizes, Luanda Records, CD
- 2010 Ária, Luanda Records, CD
- 2011 Ária ao Vivo, Luanda Records, CD, DVD
- 2012 Rua dos Amores, Luanda Records, CD
- 2014 Rua dos Amores ao Vivo, Luanda Records, CD, DVD
- 2015 Vidas pra Contar, CD