Romantic lyricism set to virtuosic guitar playing has made Geraldo Azevedo one of the top pop musicians in Brazil. Many of his compositions, including "Caravana", "Copacabana" , "De Outra Maneira" and "Barcarola Do Sao Francisco", have become Brazilian pop classics. Born in Petrolina, a small town near the banks of the San Francisco River, Azevedo was heavily influenced by Joao Gilberto, who lived in Juazeiro, a city on the other side of the river. Self-taught on the guitar, Azevedo mastered the instrument by the age of twelve. Moving to the capital city of Recife, in 1963, Azevedo formed a band, Grupo Construcao, with vocalist Teca Calazans and percussionist Nano Vasconcelos. Four years later, he accepted an invitation by vocalist Elaina Pittman to relocate to Rio De Janeiro. Azevedo soon became one of the city's leading musicians and a highly respected accompanist for many top-ranked vocalists. Together with Vasconcelos, Nelson Angelo and singer-songwriter Geraldo Vandre, with whom he co-wrote the popular song, "Cancao De Despedida" (The Farewell Song)", Azevedo formed a band, Quarteto Livre. After the military government's closed the Brazilian congress and instituted censorship, in December 1968, the group disbanded. Azevedo attained international acclaim, in 1991, when he teamed with Alceu Velenca, to composed and perform two songs-"78 Rotaces (78 RPM)" and "Planetario" -- at a song festival sponsored by Tupi TV in Sao Paulo. Signed by Casablanca, Azevedo and Velenca released a self-titled duo album. In 1972, Azevedo and Velenca joined with folksinger Jackson Do Pandeiro to perform at an International Song Festival in Rio. Azevedo began to achieve recognition on his own, as well. Several of his songs wre featured on the soundtrack of the Globo TV series, "Gabriela" and "Saramandaia". Azevedo's debut solo album, released in 1973, became a major hit. In 1979, Azevedo and actress/singer Elba Ramalfo recorded an album, "Bicho De 7 Cabecas (Seven Headed Beast)". Azevedo recorded a live album in the Golden Room of the Casablanca in Rio in 1985. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide