Benedito Lacerda (born March 14, 1903) was a Brazilian composer, flutist, and maestro from Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. A prominent figure in samba, choro, and MPB, Lacerda was recognized for his technical agility and his partnership with Pixinguinha. He served five years in the military, where he transitioned from playing the bumbo to the flute, performing the opera O Guarany. In 1928, Lacerda performed with the group Boêmios da Cidade, accompanying Josephine Baker. He organized the ensemble Gente do Morro before forming the Conjunto Regional Benedito Lacerda, which accompanied artists including Carmen Miranda and Francisco Alves. During the 1940s, Lacerda performed at casinos and established a prolific partnership with Pixinguinha, recording pieces such as “Sofres porque queres”, “Naquele tempo”, and “Um a zero”. Lacerda was an award-winning composer for the Rio Carnaval and a founder of the União Brasileira de Compositores. Benedito Lacerda died of lung cancer in Rio de Janeiro on February 16, 1958.
