Marcos Kostenbader Valle, a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, and record producer, was born on September 14, 1943. He is credited with popularizing bossa nova in the 1960s, and his work has spanned various musical styles, including bossa nova, samba, and fusions of rock, soul, jazz, and dance music with Brazilian styles.
Born in an apartment near Copacabana beach, Valle began playing piano at the age of, five and his parents purchased him a Petrof piano when he was ten years old. Growing up, he was influenced by Marvin Gaye and became friends with Antônio Carlos Jobim, who lived across the street from him.
Valle's talent was evident from his high school years, which coincided with the explosion of the bossa nova movement in Rio. His classmates included future legends such as Edu Lobo and Dori Caymmi, and his composition "Sonho de Maria" was included on the Avanco album by the influential Tamba Trio in 1963.
With his brother Paulo Sérgio Valle as his lyricist, he had already built an impressive portfolio of songs, prompting Odeon Records to sign him as a singer. His debut album Samba "Demais", was released in April 1964, and his reputation quickly spread, with fellow musicians lining up to record his songs.
Valle's subsequent albums, including O Compositor e o Cantor (1965) and Braziliance! (1966),featured hits such as "Samba De Verão" and "Deus Brasileiro." His first trip to the United States in 1966 saw him team up with Sérgio Mendes and enjoy some success, including appearances on The Andy Williams Show.
Following session work on Verve Records releases, Valle released Samba '68, featuring English-language versions of songs from his earlier Brazilian releases. Feeling homesick, he returned to Brazil and entered a new creative phase, releasing Viola Enluarada (1968),which showcased a more mature and introspective sound.
The title track, a duet with Milton Nascimento, became one of Valle's signature compositions in Brazil and marked a shift towards a broader range of musical influences.
