Chico Buarque

Chico Buarque (born June 19, 1944 in Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian poet, singer, musician, songwriter and novelist who become famous for his music, which comments on Brazil's social, economic and cultural situation. His latest book,

Chico Buarque (born June 19, 1944 in Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian poet, singer, musician, songwriter and novelist who become famous for his music, which comments on Brazil's social, economic and cultural situation. His latest book, Budapeste, achieved great critical acclaim and won the Prêmio Jabuti, a brazilian award similar to The Booker Prize Award. His full name is Francisco Buarque de Hollanda.

Chico came from a both intellectual and privileged family background: his father Sergio Buarque de Hollanda was a well-known historian and sociologist, and the first name of his lexicographer uncle Aurélio Buarque de Hollanda is as strongly associated with Brazilian portuguese dictionaries as the name Webster is with American ones. A studious child with a precocious interest in music and writing, Chico was heavily impressed by bossa nova, and specifically, by the work of João Gilberto.