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 +'''Jorge Ben Jor''' (born March 22, 1945 in [[Rio de Janeiro]]) is a [[Música Popular Brasileira|Brazilian popular musician]]. His characteristic style fuses [[samba]], [[funk]], [[rock music|rock]] and [[bossa nova]] with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter.
 +
 +He is best known internationally as the composer of the Sérgio Mendes hit "[[Mas que Nada]]" and his hit single "[[Taj Mahal (song)|Taj Mahal]]". Many of his songs are included in the medley "[[Disco Samba]]."
-'''Jorge Ben Jor''' is a [[Brazilian popular music]]ian, born in [[Rio de Janeiro]] on [[March 22]], [[1942]] (some sources say [[1940]]). His characteristic style fuses [[samba]], [[funk]], and [[rock and roll|rock]] into [[samba-rock]], with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter. He is best known internationally as the composer of the [[Sérgio Mendes]] hit "[[Mas Que Nada]]", his hit single "[[Taj Mahal (song)|Taj Mahal]]" (plagiarized by [[Rod Stewart]] "[[Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?]]"). 
-== Notable songs == 
-  
-* ''[[Mas Que Nada]]''  
-* ''Charles Anjo 45''  
-* ''Que Pena''  
-* ''[[País Tropical]]''  
-* ''[[Fio Maravilha]]''  
-* ''[[Taj Mahal]]''  
-* ''Take it Easy My Brother Charles''  
-* ''Bebete vaobora''  
-* ''[[Umbabarauma (Ponta de lança africano)]]''  
-* ''[[Oba, la vem ela]]'' 
-* ''[[Carolina, Carol Bela]]'' 
==Biography== ==Biography==
-Born '''Jorge Duilio Lima Menezes''', he initially took the stage name '''Jorge Ben''' after his mother's name (of [[Ethiopia]]norigin), but later changed it to '''Jorge Ben Jor''' (commonly written Benjor), allegedly in response to an incident where some of his royalties had accidentally gone to [[United States|American]] guitarist [[George Benson]].+===Early life and career===
 +Born '''Jorge Duilio Lima Menezes''', he first took the stage name '''Jorge Ben''' after his mother's name (of [[Ethiopia]]n origin) but in the 1980s changed it to '''Jorge Ben Jor''' (commonly written Benjor).
-Jorge Ben obtained his first [[pandeiro]] (Brazil's most popular type of tambourine) when he was thirteen, and two years later, was singing in a church choir. He also took part as a pandeiro player in the [[blocos]] of Carnival, and from eighteen years of age, he began performing at parties and nightclubs with the guitar his mother gave him. +Jorge Ben obtained his first [[pandeiro]] (Brazil's most popular type of tambourine) when he was thirteen, and two years later, was singing in a church choir. He also took part as a pandeiro player in the [[blocos]] of Carnaval, and from eighteen years of age, he began performing at parties and nightclubs with the guitar his mother gave him.
-It was at one of those clubs in which he performed that his musical career took off. In 1963, Jorge came on stage and sang "[[Mas Que Nada]]" (or "no way") to a small crowd that happened to include an executive from the recording company, [[Philips]]. One week later, Jorge Ben's first disc was launched. +It was at one of those clubs in which he performed that his musical career took off. In 1963, Jorge came on stage and sang "[[Mas Que Nada]]" to a small crowd that happened to include an executive from the recording company, [[Philips]]. One week later, Jorge Ben's first single was released.
-The hybrid rhythms that Jorge employed brought him some problems at the start of his career, when Brazilian music was split between the rockier sounds of the [[Jovem Guarda]] and traditional samba with its complex lyrics. But as that phase in Brazilian pop music history passed, and the entire world became captivated by [[bossa nova]], Jorge rose to prominence.+The hybrid rhythms that Jorge employed brought him some problems at the start of his career, when Brazilian music was split between the rockier sounds of the [[Jovem Guarda]] and traditional samba with its complex lyrics. But as that phase in Brazilian pop music history passed, and bossa nova became better known throughout the world, Jorge rose to prominence.
-Jorge Ben's first public appearances were in small festivals organised by his friends, where bossa nova and rock and roll predominated. As with most musicians of the time, Jorge was initially influenced by [[João Gilberto]] even though he was quite innovative in his own right. The aforementioned song, "Mas Que Nada", was his first big hit in Brazil, and remains to this day the most played song in the USA sung entirely in Portuguese. Outside of Brazil, the song is better known by its cover versions from both [[Sérgio Mendes]] and [[Tamba Trio]]. The song has also been reinterpreted by [[jazz]] luminaries such as [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Oscar Peterson]], [[Dizzy Gillespie]] and [[Al Jarreau]]; as well as other samba artists of the time, such as [[Elza Soares]]. +Jorge Ben's first public appearances were in small festivals organised by his friends, where bossa nova and rock and roll predominated. As with most musicians of the time, Jorge was initially influenced by [[João Gilberto]] even though he was quite innovative in his own right. The aforementioned song, "Mas Que Nada", was his first big hit in Brazil, and remains to this day the most played song in the United States sung entirely in Portuguese. Outside of Brazil, the song is better known in cover versions by [[Sérgio Mendes]] and the [[Tamba Trio]]. The song has also been reinterpreted by jazz luminaries such as [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Oscar Peterson]], [[Dizzy Gillespie]] and [[Al Jarreau]]; as well as other samba artists of the time, such as [[Elza Soares]].
 + 
 +===Success===
In 1969, Jorge Ben released his self-titled album amid the excitement of the cultural and musical [[Tropicália]] movement. The album featured [[Trio Mocotó]] as his backing band, who would go on to launch a successful career on the back of their association with Ben. The album was noted for "País Tropical," one of his most famous compositions, although it would be [[Wilson Simonal]] who would take his recording of the song to the top of the charts in Brazil that same year. Instead, the song "Charles, Anjo 45", also from the self-titled album, would become Ben's biggest self-performed chart hit of the year. In 1969, Jorge Ben released his self-titled album amid the excitement of the cultural and musical [[Tropicália]] movement. The album featured [[Trio Mocotó]] as his backing band, who would go on to launch a successful career on the back of their association with Ben. The album was noted for "País Tropical," one of his most famous compositions, although it would be [[Wilson Simonal]] who would take his recording of the song to the top of the charts in Brazil that same year. Instead, the song "Charles, Anjo 45", also from the self-titled album, would become Ben's biggest self-performed chart hit of the year.
-In the 1970s, Jorge Ben released his most esoteric and experimental albums, most notably "A Tábua de Esmeralda" in 1974, "Solta o Pavão" in 1975 and "África Brasil" in 1976; the latter album's track "Xica da Silva" receiving a single release in many territories in Europe but retitled as "Chica da Silva" for ease of pronunciation. These three albums were not greeted with much popular success at the time but are regarded as classics today. +In the 1970s, Jorge Ben released his most esoteric and experimental albums, most notably ''[[A Tábua de Esmeralda]]'' in 1974 and ''[[Solta o Pavão]]'' in 1975. In 1976, he released one of his most popular albums: "[[África Brasil]]," a fusion of funk and samba which relied more on the electric guitar than previous efforts. This album also features a remake of his previously released song "Taj Mahal," from which [[Rod Stewart]]'s 1977 hit "[[Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?]] was plagiarized (a matter that was settled in court in Ben's favor).
-In 1989, Jorge changed his recording label as well as his artistic name, becoming Jorge Benjor (or Jorge Ben Jor). At the time, it was said that there were numerological reasons for his change in name, although it did in fact have more to do with problems in relation to his rights as a composer of music. Nonetheless, from this point on, Jorge's music became more pop oriented even though it did manage to maintain its swing.+In 1989, Jorge changed his recording label as well as his artistic name, becoming Jorge Benjor (or Jorge Ben Jor). At the time, it was said that there were numerological reasons for his change in name; other sources say it was in response to an incident where some of his royalties accidentally went to American guitarist [[George Benson]].
-While he is probably best known internationally as the composer of the [[Sérgio Mendes]] hit "Mas Que Nada", his own hit single "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?]]". "Taj Mahal" originally appeared on 1972's "Ben" album, becoming a big hit on the charts in Brazil that year. An alternative version of the track also appeared on the 1977 album "Tropical"; this was an attempt to add [[soul music|soul]] and [[disco]] to his sound, after which he reverted to more familiar ways. Additionally, versions appear on Ben's 1975 collaboration with [[Gilberto Gil]] and his 1976 [[África Brasil]] album.+===Recent career===
 +In 2002, Jorge Ben contributed to the critically acclaimed [[Red Hot + Riot]], a compilation CD created by the [[Red Hot Organization]] in tribute to the music and work of Nigerian musician, [[Fela Kuti]], that raised money for various charities devoted to raising AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. He collaborated with fellow hip-hop artists [[Dead Prez]], [[Talib Kweli]], and [[Bilal (American singer)|Bilal]] to remake the famous song by Fela Kuti, "Shuffering and Shmiling," for the CD.
-Some of his other hits include "Ponta de Lança Africano ([[Umbabarauma]])" (about one of his favorite subjects, [[Football (soccer)|football]]) "[[Fio Maravilha]]" (also inspired by a football player, [[Fio Maravilha]]), "[[País Tropical]]", "[[Chove Chuva]]", "[[Que Maravilha]]" (recorded with [[Toquinho]]), "[[Oba, lá vem ela]]", "[[Amante Amado]]" and "W[[/Brasil (Chama o Síndico)]]".+In 2006, a remake of Ben's "Mas Que Nada" became an international chart hit for [[Sérgio Mendes]] with [[The Black Eyed Peas]] after being used by [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] in a global TV advertisement during the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]; this remake (the second time Mendes had covered the track) reached the Top 10 in several European countries, including the UK and Germany, in addition to reaching Number 1 in the Netherlands.
-In 2006, a remake of Ben Jor's "[[Mas Que Nada]]" became an international chart hit for [[Sérgio Mendes]] with the [[Black Eyed Peas]] after being used by [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] in a global TV advertisement during the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]; this remake (the second time Mendes had covered the track) reached the Top 10 in several European countries, including the UK and Germany, in addition to reaching Number 1 in the Netherlands.+Jorge Ben is also a big fan of [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo|Flamengo]], a Brazilian football club, located in [[Rio de Janeiro]], which counts [[Zico]], [[Leovegildo Lins da Gama Júnior|Junior]] and [[José Leandro Ferreira|Leandro]] among their former star players. Ben's interest in football carries over to his music, as many of his songs deal with the subject, such as "Flamengo," "Camisa 10 da Gávea," "Ponta De Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)," "Zagueiro," and "Filho Maravilha."
-He is also a big fan of [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo]], a Brazilian football club, located in [[Rio de Janeiro]], where [[Zico]], [[Leovegildo Lins da Gama Júnior|Junior]] and [[José Leandro Ferreira|Leandro]] are among former stars. His passion is demonstrated in a song he wrote, called "Flamengo;" [[:Image:Flamengo logo football.png|Flamengo's crest]] also features in the cover of the 1969 album "Jorge Ben." Ben's "Camisa 10 da Gávea" is an ode to Zico.+On 7 July 2007 he performed at the [[Live Earth concert, Rio de Janeiro|Brazilian leg]] of [[Live Earth]] in Rio de Janeiro.
-On [[7 July]], [[2007]] he performed at the [[Live Earth concert, Rio de Janeiro|Brazilian leg]] of [[Live Earth]] in Rio de Janeiro.+==Discography==
 + 
 +*1963: ''[[Samba Esquema Novo]]''
 +*1964: ''[[Ben é Samba Bom]]''
 +*1964: ''[[Sacundin Ben Samba]]''
 +*1965: ''[[Big Ben (album)|Big Ben]]''
 +*1967: ''[[O Bidú: Silêncio no Brooklin]]''
 +*1969: ''[[Jorge Ben (1969 album)|Jorge Ben]]''
 +*1970: ''[[Força Bruta]]''
 +*1971: ''[[Negro é Lindo]]''
 +*1972: ''[[Ben (Jorge Ben's album)|Ben]]''
 +*1973: ''[[10 Anos Depois]]''
 +*1974: ''[[A Tábua de Esmeralda]]''
 +*1975: ''[[Solta o Pavão]]''
 +*1975: ''Jorge Ben à l'Olympia''
 +*1975: ''[[Gil e Jorge]]'' (with [[Gilberto Gil]])
 +*1976: ''[[África Brasil]]''
 +*1976: ''Samba Nova''
 +*1977: ''Tropical''
 +*1978: ''A Banda Do Zé Pretinho''
 +*1979: ''Salve Simpatia''
 +*1980: ''Alô, Alô, Como Vai?
 +*1981: ''Bem Vinda Amizade''
 +*1983: ''Dadiva''
 +*1984: ''Sonsual''
 +*1986: ''Ben Brasil''
 +*1989: ''Ben Jor''
 +*1992: ''Live In Rio''
 +*1994: ''23''
 +*1995: ''Homo Sapiens''
 +*1997: ''Musicas Para Tocar Em Elevador''
 +*2000: ''Puro Suingue''
 +*2002: ''Acústico MTV'' - Double CD release, available jointly or separately, consisting of ''Admiral Jorge V'' and ''Banda do Zé Pretinho''
 +*2004: ''Reactivus Amor Est (Turba Philosophorum)''
 +*2006: ''Sou da Pesada (7 Samurai Afroraduno Remix)/A Joven Samba *''(Klasick Remix)''
 +*2007: ''Recuerdos de Assunción 443"
 +*2008: ''Favourites: From Samba Esquema Novo 1963 - África Brasil 1976''
 + 
 +== Notable songs ==
 +* ''[[Mas Que Nada]]''
 +* ''Charles Anjo 45''
 +* ''Que Pena''
 +* ''[[País Tropical]]''
 +* ''[[Fio Maravilha]]''
 +* ''[[Taj Mahal]]''
 +* ''Take it Easy My Brother Charles''
 +* ''Bebete vaobora''
 +* ''[[Umbabarauma (Ponta de lança africano)]]''
 +* ''[[Oba, la vem ela]]''
 +* ''[[Carolina, Carol Bela]]''
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Jorge Ben Jor (born March 22, 1945 in Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian popular musician. His characteristic style fuses samba, funk, rock and bossa nova with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter.

He is best known internationally as the composer of the Sérgio Mendes hit "Mas que Nada" and his hit single "Taj Mahal". Many of his songs are included in the medley "Disco Samba."

Contents

Biography

Early life and career

Born Jorge Duilio Lima Menezes, he first took the stage name Jorge Ben after his mother's name (of Ethiopian origin) but in the 1980s changed it to Jorge Ben Jor (commonly written Benjor).

Jorge Ben obtained his first pandeiro (Brazil's most popular type of tambourine) when he was thirteen, and two years later, was singing in a church choir. He also took part as a pandeiro player in the blocos of Carnaval, and from eighteen years of age, he began performing at parties and nightclubs with the guitar his mother gave him.

It was at one of those clubs in which he performed that his musical career took off. In 1963, Jorge came on stage and sang "Mas Que Nada" to a small crowd that happened to include an executive from the recording company, Philips. One week later, Jorge Ben's first single was released.

The hybrid rhythms that Jorge employed brought him some problems at the start of his career, when Brazilian music was split between the rockier sounds of the Jovem Guarda and traditional samba with its complex lyrics. But as that phase in Brazilian pop music history passed, and bossa nova became better known throughout the world, Jorge rose to prominence.

Jorge Ben's first public appearances were in small festivals organised by his friends, where bossa nova and rock and roll predominated. As with most musicians of the time, Jorge was initially influenced by João Gilberto even though he was quite innovative in his own right. The aforementioned song, "Mas Que Nada", was his first big hit in Brazil, and remains to this day the most played song in the United States sung entirely in Portuguese. Outside of Brazil, the song is better known in cover versions by Sérgio Mendes and the Tamba Trio. The song has also been reinterpreted by jazz luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and Al Jarreau; as well as other samba artists of the time, such as Elza Soares.

Success

In 1969, Jorge Ben released his self-titled album amid the excitement of the cultural and musical Tropicália movement. The album featured Trio Mocotó as his backing band, who would go on to launch a successful career on the back of their association with Ben. The album was noted for "País Tropical," one of his most famous compositions, although it would be Wilson Simonal who would take his recording of the song to the top of the charts in Brazil that same year. Instead, the song "Charles, Anjo 45", also from the self-titled album, would become Ben's biggest self-performed chart hit of the year.

In the 1970s, Jorge Ben released his most esoteric and experimental albums, most notably A Tábua de Esmeralda in 1974 and Solta o Pavão in 1975. In 1976, he released one of his most popular albums: "África Brasil," a fusion of funk and samba which relied more on the electric guitar than previous efforts. This album also features a remake of his previously released song "Taj Mahal," from which Rod Stewart's 1977 hit "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? was plagiarized (a matter that was settled in court in Ben's favor).

In 1989, Jorge changed his recording label as well as his artistic name, becoming Jorge Benjor (or Jorge Ben Jor). At the time, it was said that there were numerological reasons for his change in name; other sources say it was in response to an incident where some of his royalties accidentally went to American guitarist George Benson.

Recent career

In 2002, Jorge Ben contributed to the critically acclaimed Red Hot + Riot, a compilation CD created by the Red Hot Organization in tribute to the music and work of Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti, that raised money for various charities devoted to raising AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. He collaborated with fellow hip-hop artists Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, and Bilal to remake the famous song by Fela Kuti, "Shuffering and Shmiling," for the CD.

In 2006, a remake of Ben's "Mas Que Nada" became an international chart hit for Sérgio Mendes with The Black Eyed Peas after being used by Nike in a global TV advertisement during the 2006 FIFA World Cup; this remake (the second time Mendes had covered the track) reached the Top 10 in several European countries, including the UK and Germany, in addition to reaching Number 1 in the Netherlands.

Jorge Ben is also a big fan of Flamengo, a Brazilian football club, located in Rio de Janeiro, which counts Zico, Junior and Leandro among their former star players. Ben's interest in football carries over to his music, as many of his songs deal with the subject, such as "Flamengo," "Camisa 10 da Gávea," "Ponta De Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)," "Zagueiro," and "Filho Maravilha."

On 7 July 2007 he performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro.

Discography

Notable songs




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