Carmen Miranda | Timeline

Carmen Miranda, born Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha; February 9, 1909 – August 5, 1955), was a Portuguese-born Brazilian samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress, and film star who was popular from the 1930s to the 1950s. Nicknamed "The Brazilian Bombshell" Miranda is noted for her signature fruit hat outfit she wore in her American films. Miranda's 1930 recording of "Taí (Pra Você Gostar de Mim)", written by Joubert de Carvalho, catapulted her to stardom in Brazil as the foremost interpreter of samba.

During the 1930s Miranda performed on Brazilian radio and appeared in five Brazilian chanchadas, films celebrating Brazilian music, dance, and the country's carnival culture. The 1939 musical Banana da Terra (directed by Ruy Costa) gave the world her "Baiana" image, inspired by African-Brazilians from the northeastern state of Bahia.

In 1940, she made her first Hollywood film, Down Argentine Way with Don Ameche and Betty Grable, and her exotic clothing and Lusophone accent became her trademark. That year, she was voted the third-most-popular personality in the United States; she and her group, Bando da Lua, were invited to sing and dance for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. By 1945, she was the highest-paid woman in the United States.

Miranda made 14 Hollywood films between 1940 and 1953. Although she was hailed as a talented performer, her popularity waned by the end of World War II. Miranda came to resent the stereotypical "Brazilian Bombshell" image she had cultivated, and attempted to free herself of it with limited success. Despite being stereotyped, Miranda's performances popularized Brazilian music and increased public awareness of Latin culture. In 1941 she was the first Latin American star to be invited to leave her hand and footprints in the courtyard of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and was the first South American honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Miranda is considered the precursor of Brazil's 1960s Tropicalismo cultural movement. (This long intro is a selection from Wikipedia)

February 9, 1909 - Marco de Canaveses, Portugal - Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha is born

January(?) 1(?), 1910 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Maria Emília Miranda boards a ship to Brazil with her two daughters, Olinda and "Carmen", who was 10 months old
April 20, 1915 - Rio de Janeiro - Younger sister Aurora Miranda da Cunha is born

January(?) 1(?), 1919 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen is enrolled at Santa Tereza School, at Lapa Street, Rio de Janeiro

January(?) 1(?), 1925 - Rio de Janeiro - The Miranda da Cunha family moves to a townhouse at Travessa do Comércio, in the commercial center of Rio, Between Arco do Teles and Rua do Ouvidor, installing a pension there, to cover the cost of Olinda's lung treatment in Portugal, in a sanatorium in Caramulo. Carmen, at age 14, leaves school and takes a job as a clerk at a tie shop. The pension, run by Maria Emília, with the help of her children, served meals for the commerce boys

September 7, 1925 - Rio de Janeiro - Launch of the film "A Esposa do Solteiro", where Carmen Miranda appears as an extra

September 26, 1926 - Rio de Janeiro - The magazine "Selecta" publishes the portrait of Carmen, in the cinema section of the journalist Pedro Lima, without mentioning her name

December 1(?), 1928 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen sings at a festival, organized by the Bahian Aníbal Duarte, at the National Institute of Music in downtown Rio. Josué de Barros, Bahian composer and guitarist, becomes interested in her career - promotes her with radio stations, clubs and record labels =(START)

March 5, 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - As a student of professor Josué de Barros, with other young women, Carmen sings modinhas on Educadora Radio. For the first time uses the name "Carmen Miranda", in an attempt to deceive her father, who did not want his daughter to pursue a singing career

March 10, 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - Performs at Radio Sociedade

September 1(?), 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen Miranda records her first album at Brunswick (Side A: "Não Vá Sim'bora", samba, Side B: "Se O Samba É Moda"), released at the end of the year. In the meantime, waiting for the release, she continues singing wherever she can

October 12, 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - Sings at Educadora Radio, with Zaira de Oliveira and Elisa Coelho

December 4, 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - Records her first album at Víctor, with "Triste Jandaia" and "Dona Balbina", after Josué got a test with Rogério Guimarães, director of the label

December 13, 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - Sings on Mayrink Veiga Radio, accompanied by Rogério Guimarães

January 27, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of "For you to like me (taí)", with Pixinguinha. It is launched in February, establishing her nationally during the year
March 1, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - During Carnival (March 1st to 4th) the march "YáYá YôYô" becomes very popular
March 20, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Participates in "Praia Clube" at a party in honor of the candidate Misses for the title of "Miss Rio de Janeiro"
April 10, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Participates in the "Brazilian Night of Francisco Alves", in the "Monroe cigarette contest", at República Theater
May 7, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Participates in "Tarde da Alma Brasileira", at Teatro Lírico
May 14, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Performs in the literary-musical program, at the Palace Theater, in honor of Miss Marina Torre, "Miss Rio de Janeiro"
May 21, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Participates in the "Afternoon of Brazilian Folklore", at Teatro Lírico, organized by Pixinguinha
June 1(?), 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - "Vida Doméstica" magazine publishes an interview with Carmen Miranda
June 19, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Promotes her own festival, the "Carmen Miranda Festival", at Teatro Lírico
June 21, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of "Os home implica comigo" with Pixinguinha
June 22, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Newspaper "O País" publishes an interview with Carmen, already considering her the greatest Brazilian popular singer
August 1, 1930 - São Paulo, Brazil - Carmen Miranda signs a recording contract with RCA Victor in São Paulo
August 4, 1930 - São Paulo - Carmen Miranda talks with the newspaper "O Globo" about cinema, especially about the film "Degraus da Vida". From August 4th to 11th, she records at RCA Victor in São Paulo
August 28, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Attends the party of "The Best Scout in Brazil", promoted by "Diário Carioca", as a simple spectator. "Carmen Miranda! It is what you hear in the four corners of the theater. It is that the dear singer was in the audience and the audience that celebrates her, as an artist of merit that she is, claimed her presence on the stage, not being, however, satisfied." ("Diário Carioca" Newspaper)
September 13, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - From September 13th to 21st, Carmen Miranda sings in the musical magazine "Vai Dar o que Falar", at João Caetano Theater
December 11, 1930 - São Paulo - From December 11th to 17th, Carmen Miranda records at RCA Victor in São Paulo
March 31, 1931 - While in Rio de Janeiro - Older sister, Olinda, dies in Portugal, aged 23
October 1, 1931 - Rio de Janeiro - Departs to Buenos Aires with Francisco Alves, Mário Reis, and other artists, with a one-month contract at "Cine Broadway"
October 5(?), 1931 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Carmen Miranda arrives in Buenos Aires for the first time
November 4(?), 1931 - Buenos Aires - Carmen Miranda, Francisco Alves and Mário Reis depart for Rio de Janeiro aboard the "RMS Asturias"
November 8, 1931 - Rio de Janeiro - Returns to Rio de Janeiro
November 21, 1931 - Rio de Janeiro - The magazine "Careta" publishes her photo autographing records at P. J. Christoph House
December 14, 1931 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of "Sonhei que era Feliz" with Pixinguinha's Velha Guarda (Old Guard)
January 28, 1932 - Rio de Janeiro - Performs at Cine Eldorado, with Almirante, Velha Guarda, Lamartine, T.B.T. Trio, to promote the carnival songs of RCA Victor
August 8, 1932 - Rio de Janeiro - From August 8th to 21st, Carmen Miranda sings at the "2º Broadway Cocktail" with Francisco Alves, Noel Rosa and Almirante
August 20, 1932 - Rio de Janeiro - Gives an interview to the magazine "O Cruzeiro"
September 1(?), 1932 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen Miranda goes on an excursion to Bahia and Pernambuco, with Josué de Barros and "Betinho". Almirante later joins them
October 18, 1932 - Salvador - Last show in Salvador, at Teatro Guarani
November 5, 1932 - Recife - Last show in Recife, at Teatro Santa Isabel
November 10, 1932 - Rio de Janeiro - Returns to Rio de Janeiro
January 1(?), 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Participates in the pre-carnival balls of Fluminense FC, promoting RCA Victor releases
March 6, 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Premiere of her first film, "A Voz do Carnaval", at Cine Odeon
June 15, 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Sings at the party of "A Noite", at Teatro Recreio - premiere of Aurora Miranda on stage
August 1(?), 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen Miranda signs a 2-year contract with Radio Mayrink Veiga, to earn 2,000 "réis" monthly. She was the first radio singer to earn a contract, when everyone was paid. That month, famous "speaker" César Ladeira came from Radio Record to take over the artistic direction of Mayrink. Carmen was called "Cantora do It". César called her "Smiley Dictator of Samba" and, "Little Remarkable"
October 5, 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Performs at Casino-Mar Theater
October 30, 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Winner of the contest "A Nação-Untisal", she embarks for Buenos Aires with other artists, to sing at L.R.-5
November 3(?), 1933 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Arrives in Buenos Aires
December 5, 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Returns to Rio de Janeiro. Begins being called "Ambassador of Samba"
January 24, 1934 - Rio de Janeiro - Performs at Cine Glória with Aurora, Jorge Murad, Petra de Barros, "Bando da Lua" and Custódio Mesquita
February 6, 1934 - Rio de Janeiro - She is elected "Queen of Carioca Broadcasting" (Queen of broadcasting from Rio de Janeiro), in a contest by the newspaper "A Hora"
July 1(?), 1934 - Rio de Janeiro - Movie Star Ramon Novarro visits Brazil to promote the film "Voando para o Rio" - Carmen Miranda sings at a reception to the artist. Her Possibilities in Hollywood were already being discussed
July 18, 1934 - São Paulo - For the first time in São Paulo, at Teatro Santana, with Aurora, João Petra de Barros, Jorge Murad and Custódio Mesquita. They also perform at Rádio Record
October 26, 1934 - Rio de Janeiro - Hired by Jaime Yankelevisch, from Radio Belgrano, for a month-long season, Carmen Miranda boards the "Western World" to Buenos Aires with Aurora and "Bando da Lua"
November 1(?), 1934 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Arrives in Buenos Aires
February 4, 1935 - Rio de Janeiro - Premiere of the movie "Alô Alô Brasil" at Cine Alhambra, the first Brazilian movie with direct sound in the film
February 5, 1935 - Rio de Janeiro - From February 5th to 8th, Carmen Miranda sings on Rádio Record with Aurora, João Petra de Barros, Barbosa Junior and Custódio Mesquita
April 29, 1935 - Rio de Janeiro - Starts recording at Odeon. Millionaire contracts at the new label and at Radio Mayrink Veiga
May 23, 1935 - Porto Alegre - Departs to Buenos Aires to sing on Radio Belgrano. That same day, reaches Porto Alegre and sings at the PRF-9
May 25(?), 1935 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Arrives in Buenos Aires
June 20, 1935 - Porto Alegre - On her way to Rio de Janeiro, Carmen Miranda sings again in Porto Alegre
July 8, 1935 - Rio de Janeiro - Premiere of her movie "Estudantes" at the Cine Alhambra
October 20, 1935 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Tours Buenos Aires with Aurora
December 5, 1935 - Rio de Janeiro - Returns to Rio de Janeiro
January 1(?), 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - Performs at the Copacabana Casino
January 20, 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - Premiere of her movie "Alô, Alô Carnaval" at Cine Alhambra
February 2, 1936 - São Paulo - In São Paulo with Aurora, Custódio, Vassourinha and "Nhô" Totico, at Cine República and Rádio Record
February 11, 1936 - Santos - On the 10th and 11th of February they perform at the Teatro Coliseu in Santos
February 19, 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - Performs at Cine Glória with Aurora and Mário Reis
March 1(?), 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - Comments appear about the possible departure of the Miranda sisters to Portugal. Carmen refuses another advantageous contract with adio El Mundo in Buenos Aires

Carmen Miranda, 1938

July 15, 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - Departs to Buenos Aires to sing at Radio Belgrano, with Aurora, Custódio Mesquita and musicians Laurindo de Almeida, Zézinho ("Zé Carioca"), Eugênio Martins and Sutinho. Carmen Miranda rejects to participate in an Argentine film in which she would play the second role
September 12, 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - Returns to Rio de Janeiro
December 1, 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - Debuts on Rádio Tupi, which takes her from Radio Mayrink Veiga at the expense of a fabulous contract of 5,000 "réis" per month, for 4 hours per month, that is, two weekly programs of half an hour
December 15, 1936 - Rio de Janeiro - From December 15th to 19th with Aurora at Urca Casino
January 19, 1937 - São Paulo - Carmen Miranda and Aurora arrive in São Paulo
January 22, 1937 - São Paulo - In São Paulo, at Teatro Santana and Rádio Record, with Aurora, Jorge Murad, "Bando da Lua", Sylvio Caldas and Vassourinha. "The popular success was such that Praça da República (Republia Square), despite bad weather, was crowded" (Carioca Magazine). She is carried in triumph from the Theater to the balcony of Record where she sings to the crowd
January 28, 1937 - Santos - Performs at the Coliseu de Santos Theater
February 1(?), 1937 - Rio de Janeiro - Sings at the Urca Casino
March 28, 1937 - Porto Alegre - From March 28 to April 4 at Rádio Farroupilha and Teatro Apoio in Porto Alegre
April 1(?), 1937 - While in Porto Alegre - Comments appear about her possible trip to England with "Bando da Lua"
May 4, 1937 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Tours Buenos Aires with Aurora for a month
June 4(?), 1937 - Rio de Janeiro - Returns to Rio de Janeiro
December 1(?), 1937 - Rio de Janeiro - Returns to "her" Mayrink Veiga Radio
January 18, 1938 - São Paulo - In São Paulo at Rádio Record and Teatro Coliseu with Aurora, Sylvio Caldas and Almirante. Once again, comments come up about her possible trip to Hollywood
February 4, 1938 - Ribeirão Preto - From January to February, after São Paulo, he tours to Ribeirão Preto (February 4, 1938), Franca, Campinas, Poços de Caldas, Santos, with the same musicians and Geraldo Mendonça.
April 1(?), 1938 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Goes to Buenos Aires with Aurora. Their father's illness makes them return to Brazil
May 5, 1938 - Buenos Aires - They return to Buenos Aires to fulfill the rest of the contract
June 21, 1938 - Rio de Janeiro - Her father, José Maria Pinto da Cunha, dies
October 17, 1938 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of the single "Na Baixa do Sapateiro"
December 1(?), 1938 - Rio de Janeiro - American actor Tyrone Power and his fiancee Annabella visit Rio and become friends with Carmen Miranda. Tyrone sees possibilities for Carmen to be successful in Hollywood. Carmen received 30,000 "réis" per month at Urca Casino
January 4, 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - Sings to 200,000 people at the "Feira de Amostras". In the official carnival music contest, she is the most acclaimed
January 6, 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - In Urca with Pedro Vargas and Libertad Lamarque
January 21, 1939 - São Paulo - In São Paulo, at Rádio Record and Teatro Coliseu, with Aurora, Sylvio Caldas and Jaime Brito, jamming traffic.
January 29, 1939 - Campinas - In Campinas with Almirante and others, at the Municipal Theater, singing with him "Pirolito" and "O Que É que Baiana Tem", dressed as a Bahian. That day, before the show, Carmen injured her knee while driving a car. Despite the inflammation, she dances and sings without making the public aware of her condition

February 10, 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - Premiere of the movie "Banana da Terra", at Cine Metro-Passeio. Her national debut as "bahiana"
February 15, 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - From February 15 to 19, 1939, The Ocean Liner "Normandie" docks in Rio, bringing businessman Lee Shubert and Norwegian figure skater and film star, Sonja Henie
February 27, 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - Records with Dorival Caymmí "O que é que a Baiana tem?"
March 1(?), 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - Premiere of Dorival Caymmi at Mayrink presented by Carmen Miranda
May 3, 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - Records the song "Cozinheira Granfina" by Sá Roriz, with the participation of Almirante. About to depart to the United States, she says goodbye to the public in a show at the "grill" at Urca Casino
May 4, 1939 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen Miranda departs to the United States with "Bando da Lua" on board the steamer "Uruguay". During the voyage, she wins the first prize at a costume ball
May 17, 1939 - New York - Carmen Miranda arrives in New York and declares to the press: "You will mainly see that I am a singer and I have rhythm"
May 22, 1939 - New York - First musical rehearsals for the movie "The Streets of Paris"
May 29, 1939 - Boston - Debut in "Streets of Paris", in Boston, with resounding success. Already popular, she is honored at the city's Jockey Club with a match that bears her name. The press says: "Her grace can be compared to that of the idols of an ancient Aztec temple"
June 16, 1939 - New York - Carmen Miranda debuts in New York with "Bando da Lua", revolutionizing Broadway, the "World Fair" and all of New York
June 19, 1939 - New York - Carmen Miranda is introduced to the american public on a performance of "the Streets of Paris" on Broadway
June 27, 1939 - New York - Participates with "Bando da Lua", on NBC program for Brazil, presented by César Ladeira in New York
August 24, 1939 - New York(?) - Participates on Rudy Vallee program with Jimmy Durante
December 26, 1939 - New York - Recording of the single "O que é que a baiana tem?" (What the woman from Bahia have?) on Decca
February 1(?), 1940 - New York - Participates, just singing, in the filming of "Serenata Tropical". The film is produced in Hollywood, California, but only Carmen's part is filmed by another team in New York, so as not to interrupt her commitments to the Revue on Broadway and her various shows in nightclubs, hotels and at the "World Fair"
March 5, 1940 - Washington D.C. - Carmen Miranda performs during a dinner for President Roosevelt at the Carlton Hotel, on the occasion of his 7th year as president
June(?) 27(?), 1940 - New York - Departs to Rio de Janeiro aboard the Ocean liner "SS Argentina"
July 10, 1940 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen Miranda returns to Brazil and has a triumphant welcome from the people on the pier and in the streets of Rio de Janeiro
July 15, 1940 - Rio de Janeiro - Has cold reception at the charity show at Urca Casino, accused of having americanized
September 2, 1940 - Rio de Janeiro - From September 2 to 27, she records her last six songs in Brazil, almost all of them repelling criticisms of her americanization
September 12, 1940 - Rio de Janeiro - Carmen Miranda returns to Urca Casino, this time receiving the deserved acclaim
September 19(?), 1940 - Rio de Janeiro - Departs to New York
March 24, 1941 - Hollywood, California - Carmen Miranda imprints her hand-and footprints on the sidewalk of Grauman's Chinese Theatre
December 1, 1941 - New York - Premiere of Schubert's musical revue "Sons O 'Fun" at the Winter Garden Theater in New York
August 29, 1943 - New York - Schubert's musical revue "Sons O 'Fun" closes
December 24, 1943 - Hollywood - Premiere of "The Gang is all here"
September 27, 1944 - Hollywood - Premiere of "Greenwich Village"
January 1, 1946 - Hollywood - Carmen Miranda's contract with Fox expires. She decides to pursue an acting career free of studio constraints
November 1, 1946 - Hollywood - Filming of "Copacabana" begins at the Goldwyn Studios

David Sebastian and Carmen Miranda

March 17, 1947 - Beverly Hills, California - Carmen Miranda marries David Sebastian
May 1(?), 1947 - New York - Carmen Miranda performs at the Copacabana Club in New York
May 30, 1947 - While in New York(?) - "Copacabana" is released
November 19, 1947 - Los Angeles - Participates in Jimmy Durante's NBC show
November 29, 1947 - Los Angeles - Recording of "Cuanto Le Gusta" and "The Matador" with the Andrews Sisters
January(?) 1(?), 1948 - Las Vegas - Cabaret work in Las Vegas
April 26, 1948 - London, England - Carmen Miranda debuts in her season at the Palladium Theater in London. Hired for 4 weeks, she has to stay 6, earning $100,000, a huge fortune at the time
July 29, 1948 - "A Date with Judy" is released
August 1(?), 1948 - Suffers a miscarriage
December 12, 1949 - Los Angeles - Recording of "I See, I See (Asi,Asi)" and "The Wedding Samba" with the Andrews Sisters
January 6, 1950 - Los Angeles - Recording of "Yipsee-I-O" and "Ca-Room-Pa-Pa" with the Andrews Sisters
March 10, 1950 - While in Los Angeles(?) - "Nancy goes to Rio" is released
October 12, 1950 - Beverly Hills - Participates in Hedda Hopper Show
January 14, 1951 - Honolulu, Hawaii - Carmen Miranda arrives in Hawaii for 6 shows at Honolulu Civic Auditorium (first 4 with attendance 16,000)
January 16, 1951 - Honolulu - Performs at Honolulu Civic Auditorium
January 21, 1951 - Honolulu - Performs at Honolulu Civic Auditorium
February 26, 1952 - Houston, Texas - Performance at the Shamrock Hotel - Brazilian night
September 24, 1952 - Providence - Begins a week of performances at the Sheraton-Biltmore, Providence
March 4, 1953 - Rome, Italy - Visit to Rome
April 29, 1953 - Stockholm, Sweden - Visit to Sweden
August 1(?), 1953 - New York(?) - Radio interview for Brazil, by Adolfo Cruz
October 1(?), 1953 - Cincinnati - Carmen Miranda collapses (from exhaustion) and plans for her to tour several of the Shubert Theaters in the United States are dropped
December 3, 1954 - Rio de Janeiro - After 14 years of absence, Carmen Miranda returns to Brazil with Aurora - briefly stopping in São Paulo. She was with deep nervous exhaustion. She reconnects with brazilian fans, goes to theaters and parties, and is highly honored. She also begins her rest and medical treatment for her breathing difficulty
December 31, 1954 - Rio de Janeiro - Interview for Radio Record
March 21(?), 1955 - Rio de Janeiro - After 4 months of medical care and feeling recuperated, Carmen Miranda departs to the United States
April 4, 1955 - New York(?) - After her recuperation, she returns to the United States
April 10(?), 1955 - Las Vegas - Performance at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas
July 1(?), 1955 - Havana, Cuba - Two weeks performing at the Club Tropicana, Havana
August(?) 1(?), 1955 - Los Angeles - Returns to Los Angeles to recuperate from a recurring bronchial ailment
August 4, 1955 - Los Angeles - Participates in Jimmy Durante's NBC show and has a mild heart attack
August 5, 1955 - Beverly Hills, California - Carmen Miranda suffers a heart attack at home and dies, aged 46 =(END)

Pixinguinha | Timeline

Alfredo da Rocha Vianna Filho, known as Pixinguinha (Rio de Janeiro, April 23, 1897 - Rio de Janeiro, February 17, 1973), was a Brazilian conductor, flutist, saxophonist, composer and arranger. Pixinguinha is considered one of the greatest composers of Brazilian popular music. He contributed directly to the choro finding a definitive musical form.

May 4, 1897 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Alfredo da Rocha Vianna, Jr. is born

May 8, 1898 - Rio de Janeiro - Alfredo is baptized at the Santana Church

January(?) 1(?), 1908 - Rio de Janeiro - Alfredo begins playing the "cavaquinho" with his family. Some time later, he switches to the flute. Recognizing the boy's talent, his family decides to put him to study music

January(?) 1(?), 1911 - Rio de Janeiro - Musical debut as flutist of the group "Choro Carioca". Irineu de Almeida, a music teacher, takes Alfredo to the carnival group "Filhas da Jardineira"

January(?) 1(?), 1912 - Rio de Janeiro - 15-year-old Alfredo becomes harmony director of the Japanese Paladins Ranch (Carnival group). He begins playing as part of the "suburban trio"

January(?) 1(?), 1914 - Rio de Janeiro - Alfredo registers his first song: the tango "Dominante". He begins being known under the nickname "Pixinguinha"

August 22, 1914 - Rio de Janeiro - Irineu de Almeida, Pixinhguinha's teacher, dies

January(?) 1(?), 1915 - Rio de Janeiro - First recording for "Falhauber" with the group "Choro Carioca", playing the brazilian tango "São João Debaixo d'água", written by his teacher, Irineu de Almeida
July 3, 1915 - Rio de Janeiro - "Choro de Cordas" plays during a ball at the "Sociedade Fidalgos da Cidade Nova", conducted by the "brilliant 18-year-old flutist" Pixinguinha =(START)

January(?) 1(?), 1917 - Rio de Janeiro - A huge musical success is launched: "Pelo Telefone" by Donga and Mauro de Almeida - The first Carnivalesque success. One of the musicians is Pixinguinha, who starts performing as flutist at the Cine Palais, invited by trumpeteer Luís de Souza

September 13, 1917 - Rio de Janeiro - Alfredo da Rocha Vianna, Pixinguinha's father, dies aged 56

January(?) 1(?), 1918 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha and his friend Donga are summoned by the owner of the Cinema Palais in Rio de Janeiro to form a small orchestra to play in the waiting room. The "Oito Batutas" are born. (*) "Oito Batutas" meaning Eight Batons

April 7, 1919 - Rio de Janeiro - Debut of the "Oito Batutas" at the Cinema Palais in Rio de Janeiro

May 29, 1919 - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil's 1x0 football victory over Uruguay inspires Pixinguinha to create his first classic choro: "Um a zero" (1-0)

October 1(?), 1919 - Rio de Janeiro - The cinema orchestra stops performing in the Cine Palais due to the outbreak of spanish flu
January 1(?), 1920 - Belo Horizonte - Recitals in the State of Minas Gerais - Belo Horizonte and two small cities - Poços de Caldas and São João da Boa Vista
June 16, 1920 - Rio de Janeiro - The "Oito Batutas" begin their participation in the Theatre Season, in the operetta "Flor Tapuia", João Caetano Theatre
September 1(?), 1920 - Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro - The group performs before the King of Belgium
June 1(?), 1921 - Salvador - Northeast Tour - performances in Salvador
July 1(?), 1921 - Recife - Northeast Tour - performances in Recife
October 3, 1921 - Rio de Janeiro - The "Oito Batutas" perform at the residency of President Epitácio Pessoa, as attraction of the reception to french general Charles Mangin, hero of World War One. General Cândido Rondon is one of the more enthusiastic in the audience

The "Oito Batutas", 1922
(Pixinguinha on the far left)

January 19, 1922 - Rio de Janeiro - The "Oito Batutas" depart to France aboard the ship "Massilia"
February 11, 1922 - Bordeaux, France - The "Oito Batutas" arrive in Bordeaux. They board a train to Paris
February 12, 1922 - Paris - Arrival in Paris
March(?) 1(?), 1922 - Paris - Performance of the group before members of the brazilian royal family in exile in Paris since the fall of Monarchy in November 1889
June 23(?), 1922 - Paris - The "Oito Batutas" depart from Paris
August 1, 1922 - Rio de Janeiro - The "Oito Batutas" return to Rio de Janeiro aboard the "Lutetia"
September 7, 1922 - Rio de Janeiro - The "Oito Batutas" participate in the first radio transmission in Brazil, which includes a speech by the President, Epitácio Pessoa
December 1, 1922 - Rio de Janeiro - The "Oito Batutas" depart to Buenos Aires, Argentina
December 5(?), 1922 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - The "Oito Batutas" arrive in Buenos Aires
December 7, 1922 - Buenos Aires - The argentine season begins with enormous success
March 27, 1923 - Chivilcoy, Buenos Aires - Premiere of the group in the "Teatro Español" of Chivilcoy
April 1(?), 1923 - Buenos Aires - The "Oito Batutas" depart from Buenos Aires
January(?) 1(?), 1925 - São Paulo | Guaratinguetá | Campinas | Santos - Performances in São Paulo, Guaratinguetá, Campinas and Santos
July 31, 1926 - Rio de Janeiro - Premiere of the play "Tudo preto" at Teatro Rialto, staged by Companhia Negra de Revistas, organized by the scenographer Jaime Silva and the singer, composer and actor De Chocolat (author of the play) - a play with cast and orchestra (directed by Pixinguinha) entirely formed by black actors/musicians
January 5, 1927 - Brás, São Paulo - Pixinguinha marries Jandira Aimoré (Albertina Nunes Pereira), known as "Betty"
August 1(?), 1927 - Florianópolis - Southern Tour - Premiere of the "Oito Batutas" at the "Álvaro de Carvalho Theatre", Florianópolis
January(?) 1(?), 1928 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of the choro "Lamentos" by the typical orquestra Pixinguinha-Donga. 
May 1(?), 1928 - Rio de Janeiro - Beginning of the activities of the "Oito Batutas" as a fixed attraction in the Assírius bar / restaurant, located in the basement of the Municipal Theater
December 1(?), 1928 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of the choro "Carinhoso" by the typical orchestra Pixinguinha-Donga

February 1(?), 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of the famous samba "Gavião calçudo" (Pixinguinha composition with lyrics by Cícero de Almeida)
March 1(?), 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - The "Jornal" publishes an interview with young Ary Barroso, who responds like this when asked about his favorite composer: “Firstly, the admirable Pixinguinha, the man of the ravishing melodies”
June(?) 1(?), 1929 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha is approved in a contest promoted by the label RCA Victor Talking Machine Company of Brazil, with "Carinhoso", and starts working at it with the assignments of writing arrangements and orchestrations and also conducting the label's orchestra. He would be the pioneer of orchestration for Brazilian popular music, with innovative new ideas
January 27, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of "For you to like me (taí)", with Carmen Miranda. It is launched in February, establishing her nationally during the year
May 21, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha organizes the "Afternoon of Brazilian Folklore", at Teatro Lírico, with participation of Carmen Miranda
June 21, 1930 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of "Os home implica comigo" with Carmen Miranda
January(?) 1(?), 1931 - Rio de Janeiro - End of the "Oito Batutas". Pixinguinha, Donga and João da Bahiana form the new group "Guarda Velha"
December 14, 1931 - Rio de Janeiro - Velha Guarda records "Sonhei que era Feliz" with Carmen Miranda
January 28, 1932 - Rio de Janeiro - Velha Guarda performs at Cine Eldorado, with Carmen Miranda, Almirante, Lamartine and T.B.T. Trio, to promote the carnival songs of RCA Victor
April 12, 1932 - Rio de Janeiro - In Rio de Janeiro, Noel Rosa's samba "Adeus" is recorded by the group "Guarda Velha" conducted by Pixinguinha
March 1(?), 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha enrolls at the National Institute of Music for music theory classes
August 9, 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Orestes Barbosa, "A Hora" Newspaper:  “Pixinguinha is today the most perfect orchestrator of the City's records..."
October 1(?), 1933 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha receives the certificate of conclusion of the Music Theory Course
January(?) 1(?), 1934 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha joins the public service, as the organizer (Maestro) of the Municipal Guard Band. A job he doesn't enjoy much because of the lack of commitment from the musicians
January(?) 1(?), 1935 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha and Betty adopt a little boy, who is registered as Alfredo da Rocha Vianna Neto (Neto=portuguese for grandson)
January(?) 1(?), 1937 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha is hired to work at Rádio Mayrink Veiga as a flutist, arranger and conductor. At that time, he started to perform in a quintet.
May 28, 1937 - While in Rio de Janeiro - Orlando Silva records Pixinguinha's "Carinhoso" and "Rosa"
January(?) 1(?), 1938 - Rio de Janeiro - RCA Victor launches the "lundu" Yaô (composition by Pixinguinha in partnership with Gastão Vianna), which comes out with the title of "African Yaou" and is performed by the singer Patrício Teixeira. Filled with words of “African origin”, the lyrics can be seen as an example of the black language that prevailed in Rio de Janeiro at the beginning of the 20th century, as a true dialect remaining from the times of slavery.
January(?) 1(?), 1939 - Ramos, Rio de Janeiro - Moves to a new house in Ramos, Rio de Janeiro
July 1(?), 1940 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha's mother Raimunda dies
August 7, 1940 - Rio de Janeiro - English conductor Leopold Stokowski arrives in Rio de Janeiro aboard the "Uruguay", to conduct his All American Youth Orchestra in two concerts at the Municipal Theater. The conductor takes advantage of his stay in Rio de Janeiro to collect local material for the Pan American Folklore Congress and, thus, asks for help from Heitor Villa-Lobos to enlist artists who could record copies of the most authentic Brazilian music. Among the regimented artists are Donga, Cartola, Zé Espinguela, Luís Americano, Pixinguinha and the comedian Jararaca. 40 recordings are made in a complete studio set up inside the ship's great hall. Of the 40 recordings made on board, 17 are selected to be released commercially in the United States, on the album "Brazilian native music", which comes out on the Columbia label
January(?) 1(?), 1941 - Rio de Janeiro - The march "Alá-la-ô", composed by Haroldo Lobo and Nássara with a brilliant arrangement by Pixinguinha, is one of the carnival songs awarded in the annual contest of the Prefecture of the Federal District. Pixinguinha starts drinking and is rarely seen. He leaves Radio Mayrink Veiga and starts to delay the payment of the installments of the house . His debt grows and he is threatened with losing the house where he lives with Betty and Alfredinho.
January(?) 1(?), 1942 - Rio de Janeiro - Last recordings of Pixinguinha playing the flute. From then on, he would only play tenor saxophone in his recordings and performances. Flutist and composer Benedito Lacerda, proposes to Pixinguinha a way to return to the work and remuneration routine. It is Lacerda who obtains, with the Irmãos Vitale publisher, the necessary amount for Pixinguinha to pay the debt that accumulated with the installments overdue. The money is obtained as an advance for the records that would be made on RCA Victor by the new duo: Lacerda on the flute, Pixinguinha on the tenor sax - the agreement with the record company provided for 25 records, but the total number of records released by the duet are 17 (i.e. 34 phonograms). The agreement also provided that Lacerda would be Pixinguinha's partner in all the songs they recorded, even those composed by Pixinguinha before their meeting, such as "Um a zero", "Sofres como queres" and "Oito Batutas", among others. The deal is accepted by Pixinguinha, who would not only return to active duty, but also pay off the installments he owed.
July 1(?), 1945 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha is invited by the broadcaster, composer and singer Almirante to sign a contract with the most popular radio station in the country: Rádio Nacional
March 26, 1946 - Rio de Janeiro - Recording of the lundu Benguelê, a partnership between Pixinguinha and Gastão Vianna
May 1, 1946 - Rio de Janeiro - The album "Victor" by the vocal ensemble "Anjos do Inferno" arrives in stores, including the first recording of the lundu Benguelê, March 26th
July 1(?), 1946 - Rio de Janeiro - Almirante goes on a collision course with Radio Nacional and transfers to Rádio Tupi, taking Pixinguinha along with him. The new house would host an Almirante program that would feature Pixinguinha as the attraction.
September 1(?), 1946 - Rio de Janeiro - The first record of the duet Pixinguinha-Benedito Lacerda comes out, bringing the choros "Um a zero" and "Sofres como queres", both by Pixinguinha - co-signed by Lacerda.
October 1(?), 1946 - Rio de Janeiro - The record containing the choros "Naquele tempo" and "Segura ele", comes out
November 1(?), 1946 - Rio de Janeiro - The record containing the choros "Vou vivendo" and "Cheguei", comes out
October 8, 1947 - Rio de Janeiro - The program “O Pessoal da Velha Guarda"(The staff of the Old Guard), created by Almirante (screenwriter and presenter), premieres on Radio Tupi, with Pixinguinha as its central figure - who acts as musical director and instrumentalist of two of the three groups that are interspersed during the 30 minutes of the program: Velha Guarda Personnel Orchestra (which performs arrangements by Pixinguinha, conducted by him) and the duet with Benedito Lacerda. The staff of Velha Guarda airs weekly for five years, until 1952
January(?) 1(?), 1948 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha has his first heart problem, without major consequences
August 11, 1948 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha pays the last installment of his house, paying off the debt he had contracted in 1939
January(?) 1(?), 1950 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha re-records the Yaô lundu (his composition with Gastão Vianna), as a singer, accompanied by Benedito Lacerda
October 2, 1951 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha is appointed “teacher of music and singing, standard J, of the permanent staff of the Prefecture of the Federal District”
October 10(?), 1951 - Recife | Fortaleza | Manaus - Pixinguinha tours alongside Benedito and Almirante through cities in the Northeast (Fortaleza and Recife) and the North (Manaus).
October 15, 1951 - Fortaleza - Em Fortaleza para comemorar o aniversário da Ceará Radio Clube, acompanhado de Almirante e Benedito Lacerda
March 1(?), 1953 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha starts going to what will be his “office” from day to day: the bar "Gouveia", which has the official name of "Whiskeria Gouveia"
April 23, 1954 - São Paulo - Pixinguinha's 57th birthday is celebrated with a special program produced and presented by Almirante on Rádio Record de São Paulo. The broadcast marks the opening of the 1st Festival of Velha Guarda, an event conceived by Almirante, co-produced by him with the Record Group and included in the celebrations of the IV Centenary of São Paulo
April 24, 1954 - São Paulo - The Festival continues with the presentation of Pixinguinha and Velha Guarda at the Arthur Azevedo Theater, with live transmission by Radio Record
April 25, 1954 - São Paulo - The 1st Festival of "Velha Guarda" (Old Guard) ends with a great show at Ibirapuera Park, with Pixinguinha, Almirante and Velha Guarda. With the success of the Festival, Rádio Record makes it possible for Almirante, Pixinguinha and Velha Guarda to remain in São Paulo during the month of May, when the broadcaster opens a schedule in its programming for Almirante to present special editions of the program The staff of Velha Guarda , produced and presented by him on Rádio Tupi, between 1947 and 52.
April 1(?), 1955 - São Paulo - II Velha Guarda Festival, again broadcast by Record's São Paulo broadcasters and, this time, with a four-day program
June 11, 1955 - Rio de Janeiro - The seven tracks of the 10-inch LP "A Velha Guarda", released by Sinter, are recorded in a single session
July 1(?), 1955 - Rio de Janeiro - The Velha Guarda Group is the attraction of the show "O Samba nasce no Coração"(Samba is born in the heart), produced by Zilco Ribeiro and directed by Lúcio Rangel at the Casablanca nightclub, in Praia Vermelha (Urca), Rio de Janeiro
May 30, 1956 - Rio de Janeiro - Belarmino Barreto Street, in Ramos, where Pixinguinha lived with Betty since 1939, is renamed Pixinguinha Street, by initiative of Odilon Braga, one of the founders of the National Democratic Union Party (UDN)
November 27, 1957 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha meets the American composer and trumpeter Louis Armstrong, at a lunch at the Laranjeiras Palace offered by the President of the Republic, Juscelino Kubitschek
February(?) 1(?), 1961 - Rio de Janeiro - The President of Brazil, Jânio Quadros, appoints Pixinguinha as a member of the newly created National Music Council. The nomination was at the request of professor Mozart de Araújo, also an adviser, after realizing that among his peers there was not even a representative of popular music.
October 14, 1963 - While in Rio de Janeiro - Critic Alex Viany finishes filming "Sol sobre a lama" in Salvador. The soundtrack of the movie is composed by Pixinguinha in partnership with Vinicius de Moraes.
June 25, 1964 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha falls ill at home and is rushed to Hospital Getúlio Vargas, where he is diagnosed with pulmonary edema. The next day, when cardiac complications worsen his clinical condition, he is transferred to the Instituto de Cardiologia Aloísio de Castro, where he remains hospitalized for 50 days.
October 6, 1966 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha participates in the series "Depoimentos para a Posteridade"(Testimonials for Posterity), from the Museum of Image and Sound (MIS), recording testimony about his own trajectory. Pixinguinha retires as a server in the former state of Guanabara
July 23, 1967 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha receives the diploma of Commander of the Order of Bossa from the Jazz and Bossa Club (a jazzophile club led by the playboy Jorginho Guinle who met at the Café-Concerto Casa Grande). He takes his saxophone out of the case and plays "Carinhoso", accompanied by Tom Jobim at the piano
September 1(?), 1967 - Brasília - Pixinguinha is one of those present at the Itamaraty Palace - alongside Tom, Vinicius de Moraes, Gilberto Gil and Elis Regina, among others - at a lunch offered to the artists by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Magalhães Pinto
November 30, 1967 - Rio de Janeiro - Awarded the Order of Labor Merit by the Minister of Labor, Jarbas Passarinho

December 1(?), 1967 - Rio de Janeiro - Tribute to Pixinguinha TV Tupi, on the program of singer and actress Bibi Ferreira
January 10, 1968 - Rio de Janeiro - In studio with Clementina de Jesus and João da Bahiana to record the LP "Gente da Antiga"
January 11, 1968 - Rio de Janeiro - In studio with Clementina de Jesus and João da Bahiana to record the LP "Gente da Antiga"
January 17, 1968 - Rio de Janeiro - In studio with Clementina de Jesus and João da Bahiana to record the LP "Gente da Antiga"
April 22, 1968 - Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha participates for the second time in the series Testimonials for Posterity
April 26, 1968 - Rio de Janeiro - Celebrates his anniversary at Tijucana Steakhouse, which opens its doors to 200 guests, including the governor of Guanabara (Rio de Janeiro), Negrão de Lima.
May 18, 1968 - Rio de Janeiro - The Museum of Image and Sound promotes a great concert in honor of Pixinguinha at the Municipal Theater. Installed in the presidential box (with Betty, Donga, João da Bahiana and Lúcio Rangel), Pixinguinha sees his songs interpreted by Radamés Gnattali, Jacob do Bandolim, the Época de Ouro ensemble and other attractions. The show results in the LP Pixinguinha 70.
January 1(?), 1969 - Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro - Pixinguinha and Betty move to a villa in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro
February 1(?), 1969 - Rio de Janeiro - French filmmaker Pierre Barouh, who films old and new guard artists of Brazilian popular music, arrives in Rio de Janeiro. One of the first to be filmed by Barouh is Pixinguinha
October 29, 1969 - Porto Alegre - Arrives in Porto Alegre to be honored by the "Palestrina Musical Highschool"
October 30, 1969 - Porto Alegre - Performance in Porto Alegre alongside Clementina de Jesus Pixinguinha suffers an accident after a TV interview: a Kombi that took him home crashes into another car and he suffers a cut in his mouth - later, he would say to "Jornal do Brasil" newspaper: “The stitches become calluses that hurt me a lot when I play. There's no way ”.
January(?) 1(?), 1970 - Inhaúma, Rio de Janeiro - Financial difficulties make Pixinguinha and Betty have to move again, this time to Inhaúma
January(?) 1(?), 1971 - Rio de Janeiro - LP Som Pixinguinha, produced by Hermínio Bello de Carvalho, comes out, with Pixinguinha interpreting compositions of his own (except Odeon, by Ernesto Nazareth). Launched at the Gouveia bar, the album features the latest recordings made by Pixinguinha
May 1(?), 1972 - Rio de Janeiro - Suffering from cardiac complications, Betty is admitted to the Institute of Assistance of Servants of the State of Rio de Janeiro, with no prospect of recovery. During her hospitalization, Pixinguinha has a heart attack, being taken by his son to the same hospital. In order not to worry his wife, he would exchange the hospital's pajamas for a suit when visiting Betty, so that she would think he was coming from home
June 7, 1972 - Rio de Janeiro - His wife Jandira Aimoré (Albertina Nunes Pereira), known as "Betty" dies in hospital, aged 73
February 17, 1973 - Rio de Janeiro - On the morning of February 17, two Saturdays before the carnival, Pixinguinha is visited by poet and producer Hermínio Bello de Carvalho, photographer Walter Firmo and musician Eduardo Marques. They talk nicely, listen to music and, at the time of farewell, Pixinguinha cries. In the afternoon, he wears his brown suit and leaves Inhaúma, accompanied by his son Alfredinho, towards the Church of Our Lady of Peace, in Ipanema, to baptize the son of his friend Euclides Souza Lima. As a gift for the baby, he takes a handwritten score of "Carinhoso". However, as he prepares to sign his name in the church book, Pixinguinha falls on the altar, struck by a heart attack and dies, aged 75 =(END)