Syukhtun Editions
Armando Neves (Armandinho) was born in Campinas, Brazil, where he studied with Professor Antonio de Paula Souza. He whistled his first compositions for Souza who wrote them down on paper. Neves is one of the most important figures in the evolution of the choro in São Paulo. Learning to play guitar by ear, he never learned music theory. Initially a soccer player, he worked as a professional for the soccer clubs Ponte Preta and Guarani. When he switched to the Corinthians he moved to São Paulo, and in 1919 abandoned soccer. In that city, he studied guitar with the brothers José Matoso and Joaquim Matoso, and in 1926 with Larosa Sobrinho. Musically illiterate, his gifted intuition allowed him to write sophisticated compositions.
In 1926, Sobrinho took him to Rádio Educadora in São Paulo, where Armandinho formed the first regional orchestra consisting of saxophone, harmonica, ukulele, tambourine and two guitars. The group participated in the first radio broadcast between Rio and São Paulo that year. The next year, he joined 'Os Turunas Paulistas', a group led by guitar virtuoso Canhoto (Américo Jacomino) who was considered the best of the period. In 1928, he performed with João Pernambuco, João dos Santos, Levino da Conceição, and others. In this year he assumed direction of the Rádio Record group, remaining there until 1956, a period when the radio enjoyed local projection. In 1930 he played for Paraguayan virtuoso guitarist and composer Agustín Barrios and recorded two 78 rpms through Parlophon with Larosa Sobrinho. An accomplished accompanist, Armandinho recorded just one solo album, a 78 for Decelith, in 1938.
As a composer, his work can be seen in three stages. The years 1925 - 1954 are considered by many to be the least productive: only 15 songs. The second phase, from 1954 to 1956 is much more productive. The third phase starting in 1959 would be the richest of his career. As a guitarist, Armandinho accompanied Silvio Caldas and Carmen Miranda, and participated in numerous music festivals. At the end of his life he collaborated with Geraldo Ribeiro, the guitarist who performed and recorded many of his works. After leaving his former home on Glicerio Street, where he lived for nearly half century, Armandinho died on October 12, 1976 in the neighborhood of Santana.
