Mauro Duarte is an important name in samba, having been a member of the Os Cinco Crioulos group and written some remarkable pieces, several of them recorded by Clara Nunes and other renowned interpreters like MPB-4, Quarteto em Cy, Alcione, Roberto Ribeiro, and Elizeth Cardoso. Among his hits are Jogo de Angola (with Paulo César Pinheiro), Reserva de Domínio, Lamentação, Lama, Foi Demais (with Paulinho da Viola), A Paixão e a Jura, Sorri de Mim (with Walter Alfaiate), ùCuidado, Teu Orgulho Ainda Te Mata (with Paulinho da Viola/Walter Alfaiate), A Alegria Continua (with Noca da Portela), and Maioria sem nenhum (with Elton Medeiros). He also had success with the samba-enredos Imperatriz, Academia do Salgueiro, 7, Beija Flor, and Mangueira, Estação Primeira. He came to Rio at age six with his family. He learned the piano by himself and became a composer and percussionist in Carnival blocos. In the early '60s, he had his Palavra recorded by Miltinho and joined the samba group Os Autênticos (who also had, among other distinguished sambistas, Walter Alfaiate and Noca da Portela). In 1967, he joined Os Cinco Crioulos, replacing Paulinho da Viola. In 1970, he met Clara Nunes, who recorded in the same year his Tributo aos Orixás (with Ruben Tavares). Nunes would record several other compositions by him, including his first hit, Menino Deus (with Paulo César Pinheiro), in 1974; Canto das Três Raças in 1976; and Portela na Avenida in 1981. In 1973, he joined the Portela samba school, as a member of the Ala dos Compositores (composer's section). In 1985, he recorded the independent LP Cristina e Mauro Duarte. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi