Carlos José recorded more than 25 albums from 1957 to 1975. Among his biggest hits, "Oferta" (his first recorded composition, 1958), "Esmeralda" (Fernando Barreto/Filadelfo Nunes, 1960), "Lembrança" (1962), "Queria" (Carlos Paraná, 1964), and "Oração da Mãe Menininha" (Dorival Caymmi, 1973) deserve mention. At 11, he learned to play the violão (Brazilian acoustic guitar) with his mother. At 13, he received first place in the famous novice radio contest Papel Carbono. In 1957, while studying at law school, he had a big break on Flávio Cavalcânti's show on TV Rio. He soon recorded his first single (through Polydor), with "Foi a Noite" (Tom Jobim/Newton Mendonça) and "Ouça" (Maysa). He was appointed Revelation of the Year by critics of Rio de Janeiro. Leaving law school, he began to perform both nationally and internationally (through Argentina and Uruguay). In 1997, José re-recorded his biggest hits in Polygram's 20 Super Sucessos de Carlos José. ~ Alvaro Neder