Jorge Ben Jor is a Brazilian popular musician, born in Rio de Janeiro on March 22, 1942 (some sources say 1940). His characteristic style fuses samba, funk, and rock, with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter.
While he is probably best known as the composer of the Sergio Mendes hit "Mas Que Nada", his song "Taj Mahal" is recognizable (and was legally recognized in a plagiarism lawsuit) as the source of the melody in Rod Stewart's hit "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" Some of his other hits include "Umbabarauma" (a song about one of his favorite subjects, soccer), "País Tropical", "Chove Chuva", and "W/Brasil".
Born Jorge Duilio Lima Meneses, he initally took the stage name Jorge Ben after his mother's name, but changed it in 1988 to Jorge Ben Jor (also commonly written Benjor), allegedly in response to an incident where some of his royalties had accidentally gone to guitarist George Benson.
Discography (partial)
Samba Esquema Novo (1963)
África Brasil (1976)
Ben Jor (1989)
Acústico MTV (2002)
External links
Official Site (http://www.benjor.com.br/)
References
Miguel, Antonio Carlos (2000). Guia de MPB em CD, Rio de Janeiro: Jorge Zahar Editor. ISBN 85-7110-528-6
Jorge Benjor—he used to be called Jorge Ben—, the Brazilian legend whose career spans over four decades hasn't lost an ounce of his energy over the years.
Among the highlights was Benjor's tribute to a fallen friend when he performed the late Tim Maia's last hit, "Do Leme ao Pontal" (From Leme to Pontal, references to places in Rio de Janeiro).
You wouldn't have known it was a tribute if you didn't know the song, for the band just started playing the song without any previous announcement, as they did with every song on the set from the minute he got on stage.
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