About Marcos Valle
Marcos Kostenbader Valle is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has produced works in many musical styles, including bossa nova, samba, and fusions of rock, soul, jazz, and dance music with Brazilian styles. Valle is credited for popularizing bossa nova in the 1960s.
Valle was born as Marcos Kostenbader Valle on 14 September 1943. He and his family lived in an apartment near Copacabana beach. Valle began playing piano at the age of five, studying the instrument and classical music for thirteen years. His parents purchased him a Petrof piano when he was ten years old. Growing up, he became influenced by Marvin Gaye. In 1963, he and his family lived in a house, and Antônio Carlos Jobim had just moved across the street from them. Valle is married to singer Patricia Alví. He was previously married to Anamaria de Carvalho, who served as the inspiration for his hit song "Os Grilos ".
Valle began his career with the debut album Samba Demais in 1963. His second album O Compositor e o Cantor contained the hit single "Samba de Verão". Walter Wanderley's rendition of the track entered the US Top 40 in 1966. Warner Brothers records released an album of instrumentals titled Braziliance! in 1967. Fearing he would be drafted for the Vietnam War, he moved back to Brazil.
During this period, Brazil's military dictatorship had started. He and his brother and lyricist Paulo Sérgio Valle, initially refrained from incorporating politically charged lyrics, but relented once Marcos returned to his country. According to Peter Margasak, Valle's songs "became increasingly gloomy and baroque, though its foundation never ceased to be samba and bossa nova."
Garra was released in 1971. Will Hodgkinson of The Times remarked that the track "Jesus Meu Rei", "sounds so much like Christian devotional pop that you would never guess it's about how much everyone hates Brazil's president." Valle also contributed to the Black Power movement with the track "Black Is Beautiful". Valle also contributed to the soundtrack for Vila Sésamo, a Brazilian version of Sesame Street.
Valle grew displeased with his life in Brazil. He took a break from performing live in 1975 and relocated to Los Angeles. Devoting more of his time as a composer and in recording studios, it would take years for him to regain confidence in performing, "Maybe it was five years that time", as Valle claimed.
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