Los indios tabajaras

about

This pair of brothers, members of the Tabajara tribe of northern Brazil, were one of the most unlikely successes of the space age pop era. Nearly 20 years after they first began recording professionally and in the midst of the twist craze, they had a Top 10 pop hit with their cover of "Maria Elena," a Mexican folklore song. RCA and their promoters have always drawn a veil of mystery around Los Indios Tabajaras, so it's tough to trace their early years accurately. Their literature claimed they discovered a guitar in the jungle near Ceara, Brazil, and, after making sure it wasn't going to explode like other firearms their tribesmen had found, began to examine it. Eventually, they both mastered the instrument and came to the attention of townspeople, one of whom took them to Rio de Janeiro to play. Dressing up in ceremonial Indian costumes, the brothers perfected a nightclub act in which they sang and played Brazilian and Latin folk songs. They changed their names to Natalicio and Antenor Lima and began touring throughout South America. In 1943, RCA's Latin American arm signed them to a contract. In the early 1950s, they took a break from touring and returned to study, each with a different teacher. Natalicio focused on melody and Antenor worked on harmony. They also added a substantial classical repertoire to their act, including guitar pieces by Bach, Falla, and Albeniz. Another tour followed, this time to Europe as well, and they recorded several more albums for RCA in

top songs

albums

Maria Elena

Always In My Heart

Serie Platino

Los Indios Tabajaras y los Panchos, Vol. 1

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Maria Elena and Other Hits

RCA Club

Los Indios Tabajaras

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Maria Elena/Always in My Heart

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Maria Elena Vol.1

Guitarras Romanticas: En el Sonido de los Indios Tabajaras

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24 Melodias Inolvidables

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Presentando a Los Indios Tabajaras

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