The choro group Conjunto Atlântico, one of the most important ever formed in the city of São Paulo, was born in the 50's out of informal rodas de choro (choro get-togethers) realized at the guitarist Antônio D'Auria's home. As most of the musicians were industrial workers and not professionals, the initial formations were variable, revolving around D'Áurea, João da Mata (guitar), Jaime Soares (cavaquinho), Amador Pinto (mandolin) and Osvaldo Bitelli (pandeiro), having included later the brothers Isaías Bueno de Almeida and Israel Bueno de Almeida. Even remaining amateur for all its existence, the group was awarded in 1974 by the Association of Art Critics of São Paulo (APCA). In 1952, D'Áurea switched for the seven-string guitar. Three years later the mandolinist Isaías Bueno de Almeida became a new member of the group, while the rodas de choro at D'Áurea's home at the Barra Funda borough of São Paulo were attracting professional chorões like Altamiro Carrilho, Canhoto and Jacob do Bandolim. In 1957 the group participated in a radio special show dedicated to choro at Rádio Record (São Paulo). Later, mandolinists Walter Veloso and Augusto Garcia and guitarist/vocalist Renato Petra joined the Atlântico. Even as an amateur group, they recorded the LP Conjunto Atlântico in 1958. In the 70's, already established as one of the most important choro groups of São Paulo, they were featured in a number of TV specials realized by the TV Cultura of that state, like As Muitas Histórias da Música Popular Brasileira, MPB Especial and Primeiro Plano; and by TV Bandeirantes, Depoimento. In 1973 the group had its own weekly show at TV Cultura, Choro das Sextas-Feiras, departing then for a series of shows through São Paulo and Rio. ~ Alvaro Neder, All Music Guide