One of the greatest accordionists in Northeast Brazil, Reginaldo Alves Ferreira, better known as Camarão(Shrimp) or Maestro Camarão, was born in Fazenda Velha, Brejo da Madre de Deus, Pernambuco, on 23 June 1940.
He learned to play accordion by watching the movements of his father, the accordionist Antonio Neto, who took him to parties where he played. After that, according to him, he perfected his skills by listening to Luiz Gonzaga and studying the method ofMárioMascarenhas.
He played at the region’s fairs,raffles and patron festivals. He developedhis artistic career in the city of Caruaru. The title of ‘Maestro’is not from his education, but rathergiven to him by broadcasters.
At the age of 18, he met Luiz Gonzaga, whom he considers his masterdespite notforgetting his father’s teachings.He was a great friend and partner of the ‘rei do baião’(‘King of Baião’– Luiz Gonzaga’s nickname), with whomhe participated in 28 recordings, including LPs, 78rpms and CDs.
He began working professionally at the age of 20, at the RádioDifusora de Caruaru (Caruaru’s Broadcast Radio), a place that hosted big names in Brazilian popular music, such as Sivuca and Hermeto Pascoal.
With musicians Jacinto Silva and IvanildoLeite,he formed his first musical ensemble, the Trio Nortista(NorthernerTrio), and in 1968 created the first ‘forró’band in Brazil, Banda do Camarão(Shrimp’sBand), and also created the Orquestra Sanfônica de Caruaru(Caruaru Accordion Orchestra).
His repertoire consists of regional rhythms like ‘xote’, ‘xaxado’, ‘baião’, ‘forró’ and ‘arrasta-pé’(“foot-dragging”).
Master Shrimp has played his accordion with great North-eastern musicians like Dominguinhos, Santanna, Marinês, and others.
In 1961, in one of the most memorable moments of his career, he represented Pernambuco,together with master Vitalino, on the first anniversary of Brasília at the invitation of the then-President of the Republic, JânioQuadros.
In 2002, he performed in Sao Paulo at theSanfona Brasil(Brazil Accordion) Project, where he was enthusiastically applauded, and in 2004, he participated in the projectO Brasil da Sanfona(The Brazilian Accordion).
Living in Recife for 25 years, he earns his living by teaching accordionin the Escola Acordeom de Ouro (Golden AccordionSchool), located in the neighbourhood of Areias,where he has trained a large number of musicians, and also from a Social Security retirement.
Recognised as a Living Patrimonyof Pernambuco, through State Law No. 12,196 on2 May 2002, ‘Master Shrimp’ continues teaching his art that,for Brazil, has a strong North-eastern accent.
Recife, 7 june 2006.
sources consulted
AMORIM, Maria Alice. Grande sanfona do agreste. Continente Documento, Recife, ano 4, n. 43, p. 51-52, mar. 2006.
FEITOSA, Aline. Dom da maestria. Diario de Pernambuco, Recife, 31 jan. 1006. Caderno Especial.
how to quote this text
GASPAR, Lúcia. Camarão (músico). In: Pesquisa Escolar. Recife: Joaquim Nabuco Foudation, 2006. Available at:https://pesquisaescolar.fundaj.gov.br/en/artigo/camaraoshrimp-musician/. Accessed: month day year. (Exemple.: Aug. 6, 2009.)