Biography

One of the most important interpreters of frevo-canção and frevo-de-rua of all times, Claudionor Germano was Mestre Capiba's favorite interpreter. Enjoying huge popularity in these regional genres, Germano had a chance to present his talent abroad in the U.S. (Miami and New York) and Tokyo, Japan, in the excursion Vôo do Frevo. Having started his artistic career in the mid-'40s at the Rádio Clube de Pernambuco, in 1947 Germano became the crooner for the Ases do Ritmo, a vocal group that was awarded Best of the Year in 1948. In 1951 he recorded with the Ases do Ritmo the samba "Eu Não Posso Viver Sem Mulher" (written by Victor Simon/David Raw) and the march "Vai Ser Pra Mim" (José Roy/Vladimir de Melo/Orlando Monello). In 1953 Germano recorded his first record with the frevo-canção "História de Pierrô" (Genival Macedo/Hilário Marcelino). Having decided to become a solo artist, Germano was hired by the Rádio Tamandaré and then by the Rádio Jornal do Comércio. Becoming a TV artist with the same group, he soon achieved regional success. During several years he was the crooner for the Nelson Ferreira Orchestra and, after 1954, he became a member of the cast of the Rozemblit recording company. In 1955 Germano participated in the first recording of the Mocambo recording company (in Pernambuco, Brazil) with the frevo-canção "Boneca" (Aldemar Paiva/José Meneses). In 1957 he recorded the "Frevo nº 3" (Antônio Maria). His first individual recording was with the frevo-canção "Super-Campeão" (Nelson Ferreira) and the march "O Mais Querido" (Capiba). Two years later he released his first LP, O Que Eu Fiz...E Você Gostou/Carnaval Cantado de Nelson Ferreira. The second one, Capiba -- 25 Anos de Frevo (also from 1959), dedicated to the master Capiba's compositions, broke sales records. Carnaval Começa com "C" de Capiba (1961) was another release dedicated to the works by the important composer. Also in 1961 Germano was awarded the Best Singer of Tadio and TV of the Northeast for the first of four consecutive times. In the same year he had one of his biggest hits with "A Mesma Rosa Amarela" (Capiba/Carlos Pena Filho), from the LP Sambas de Capiba. In the next year he had success with the samba "Manhã da Tecelã" (Capina/Carlos Pena Filho). In 1966 he participated in the I Festival Internacional da Canção/FIC (International Song Festival) with "Canção do Amor Que Não Vem" (Capiba). In the next year he earned fifth place in the national portion of the same festival with "São Do Norte Os Que Vêm" (Capiba/Ascenso Ferreira). Having recorded 124 songs by Capiba, in 1984 Germano participated in the tribute LP Capiba 80 Anos that commemorated the 80th birthday of the composer. Together with Expedito Baracho and Martha & the Orquestra de Cordas Dedilhadas de Pernambuco, he interpreted "É de Amargar," "Maria Bethânia," and "Sem Lei Nem Rei." In 2000 Germano produced and released, with success, the three-CD box set Paranambuco, dedicated to frevo-canção, frevo-de-bloco, and maracatu/cabocolinho. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi