Nonato Buzar Leaves a Musical Legacy

After a battle with pneumonia for over 15 days, (Raimundo) Nonato Buzar passed away in Rio de Janeiro this Sunday, February 2, 2014. He was born in Itapicuru in the northeastern state of Maranhão on August 26, 1932. Composer, singer and producer, Nonato Buzar made his a household name in Brazil with several themes for some of the most successful novelas in Brazilian TV. At 21 years of age, he moved to Rio to study engineering. Music was his passion, though, and soon he started singing in some of Rio’s nightclubs at the famous Beco das Garrafas. In the late 1960s and early 1970s he was behind album productions for artists including Jair Rodrigues, Regininha, Sílvio César and others. It was in the 1970s when his name was associated with great TV hits. Among his most well-known songs are the opening titles for Globo’s TV novelas “Irmãos Coragem,” “Assim na Terra Como no Céu,” “Verão Vermelho,” “O Homem que Deve Morrer” and several others. He also worked with other TV shows and movies. His songs have been recorded by a true who’s-who in Brazilian music, such as Elis Regina, Elizeth Cardoso, João Nogueira, Nana Caymmi, Luiz Gonzaga, Os Cariocas, Ivan Lins and Milton Nascimento. He was also recorded by Jimmy Cliff, Fanya All Stars and Santana. A great loss in Brazilian music, indeed. Here’s a video clip from “Irmão Coragem.” Unfortunately there are not many good quality videos of his live performances.