Sérgio and Odair Assad – 60 Years of Music

Records from the television screen: Seu Jorge and his children alongside Jacob do Bandolim.

Records from the television screen: Seu Jorge and his children alongside Jacob do Bandolim.

When Garcia visited again before that year ended, he came curious to see the bold lemon grove Seu Jorge had started—an attempt at business, with an off-season harvest. But that wasn’t all. Garcia also brought big news: he had finally managed to speak with Jacob do Bandolim. Interested, Jacob said that if the boys truly showed talent, he himself would present them on a television program to which he had access. Soon after, Seu Jorge and the boys traveled to meet him. The program chosen was Bossaudade, hosted by Elizeth Cardoso, “the Divine.” Backstage, Jacob took his mandolin out of its case, looked at the two boys, and asked: “Which choro do you know?” They answered: “A bunch.” Jacob smiled. Two tunes were enough for him to approve them. Shortly afterward, they went onstage together at Teatro Record. For the performance, two choros were chosen. The first was “Naquele Tempo,” by Pixinguinha. Before they played the second, Jacob set up a little prank to amuse the audience: he agreed with them that he would ask the younger one if he knew an old choro called “Sofres Porque Queres,” (you suffer because you want) to which Odair would reply, “Ah! That’s from my time!” guaranteeing laughter. At the crucial moment, however, Jacob got confused and called “Sérgio” instead of Odair—but it was Odair who answered, saving the scene. The theater was packed; the two played and drew enthusiastic applause.

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Voices of Elizeth Cardoso and Jacob do Bandolim introducing Sérgio and Odair on Bossaudade. Music: “Naquele Tempo” and “Sofres Porque Queres,” by Pixinguinha.