Elba Ramalho

Elba Ramalho

Elba Ramalho is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, performer, multi-instrumentalist and actress from Paraíba, Brazil. Born in 1951 in Conceição, in the rural Vale do Piancó region, she later moves to Campina Grande with her family. Her work is rooted in the traditional music of Brazil’s Northeast, especially MPB and forró, and also draws on baião, xote, xaxado and frevo.

Early life and beginnings

Ramalho begins singing as a teenager and makes her first stage appearance in 1966 with the Choir of the Fundação Artística e Cultural Manuel Bandeira, performing “Evocação do Recife”. She also appears in the Manuel Bandeira and Cecília Meireles Talking Choirs, which gain recognition across the Northeast. During this period, she takes part in poetic montages based on the work of Castro Alves, Thiago de Mello, Lindolfo Bell, Carlos Pena Filho and Figueiredo Agra, and also acts in the plays Ministro do Supremo and Diálogo das Carmelitas.

Education and early groups

While studying Economics and Sociology at the Federal University of Paraíba, she forms the group As Brasas in 1968 and plays drums in it before it later becomes a theatre group. She continues to sing at festivals across the Northeast during this period.

Recording career

Ramalho releases her first album, Ave de Prata, in 1979. She goes on to establish herself as one of the major active Brazilian singers and is known for a long career spanning more than 35 years. She sells more than 10 million albums.

Awards and recognition

She wins two Latin Grammys for Qual o Assunto Que Mais Lhe importa? and Balaio de Amor, both in the category Best Brazilian Roots Album: Regional and Tropical. The Art Critics Association of São Paulo also gives her the award for Best Show of the Year twice: for Popular Brasileira in 1989 and Leão do Norte in 1996.

Collaborations and related acts

Ramalho is a cousin of singer Zé Ramalho on her father’s side. She is also associated with the acts O Grande Encontro and Chico César & Elba Ramalho.