Born on October 3, 1952 in Rio de Janeiro, Mauro Diniz is known as a samba singer, songwriter, and one of the best cavaquinists in Brazil. The cavaquinho is a small Portuguese string instrument in the guitar family and has four wire or gut strings. At the age of 4 and inspired by his father Monarco (real name Hildemar Diniz), he already showed an understanding of the instrument. When he was 8 years old, his mother gave him a guitar, which was the beginning of his musical journey. He purchased his first cavaquinho when he was 24, and devoted himself to learning the instrument. Diniz attempted college but had to drop out due to his frequent live performances as a member of Beth Carvalho’s band. He studied music under respected musicians such as Copinha, Ian Guest, Joaquim Nagle, and producer Rildo Hora, who encouraged him to study classical piano as well as harmony and perception. Over the years, Dinis has become one of the most respected and beloved cavaquinists of his generation. He has adapted his own style and released several solo albums including Cantar A Paz (1987), Simplesmente Mauro Diniz (1990), Samba Com Realidade (2000) and Apoteose Ao Samba (2003). He has collaborated with many musicians including Almir Guineto, Beth Carvalho, and Zeca Pagodinho, who recorded the best-known version of Diniz’s “O Sol e a Brisa”.
