She started her musical career singing in a "comedy" directed by the award winning Gabriel Villela.
Besides her music studies in São Paulo, Mônica has recorded and performed with important Brazilian artists like Edu Lobo, Eduardo Gudin, José Miguel Wisnik, Marlui Miranda, Guinga, Nelson Ayres and the Jazz Symphonic Orchestra of São Paulo.
She was one of the soloists on the album CANÇÕES DE NINAR by Paulo Tatit and Sandra Peres. The CD won Brasil's "Prêmio Sharp - 95" as Best Recording for Children.
In 1995 she recorded AFRO SAMBAS, a voice and guitar album, arranged and produced by Brazilian guitarist Paulo Bellinati. The CD premiered the complete Afro-Sambas by Baden Powell and Vinícius de Moraes, including the famous Berimbau and Consolação; released in US and Europe by GSP (Guitar Solo Publication) Records.
In the same year, recorded with Paulo Bellinati the song "A Felicidade" by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes for one Brazilian Jobim's song book by Lumiar Records.
In 1997, she was nominated for Prêmio Sharp - 97 as Best New Singer on Brazilian Popular Music with the Cd AFRO SAMBAS.
In 1998 she recorded her first solo Cd TRAMPOLIM - Pau Brasil Music (in Brazil) and Bluejackel Records (in USA) produced by Rodolfo Stroeter. The cd features some of the most creative musicians in Brazilian contemporary music such as Nana Vasconcelos, Teco Cardoso, Paulo Bellinati, among others.
In May of 1999, Monica Salmaso won the Visa-Mastercard-Eldorado Prize for best singer in Brazil among 1.200 contestants, all over the country. The prize has earned attention over Monica's talent and career, and during august/september 99 she recorded for Eldorado records, her third album.
VOADEIRA is also produced by Rodolfo Stroeter. The album has been qualified by the press, as one of the best releases of 99 in Brazilian Popular Music. "Voadeira" features Marcos Suzano, Benjamim Taubkin, Naylor "Proveta", Toninho Ferragutti and Paulo Bellinati, among others.
Also in 1999 Mônica was awarded as the “best singer” from Brazil. The prize was conceded by APCA – (Associação Paulista dos Críticos de Arte), and it is particularly important as it is given by a poll of the most important Brazilian press community .
Since 1998, Monica also sings with the Orquestra Popular de Câmara - a 12 piece band - that blends the Brazilian musical heritage along with the personal contribution of each one of the renowned soloist of the group.
In 2004, she has released her fourth cd IAIÁ by the label Biscoito Fino (in Brazil), released in USA and Europe by Harmonia Mundi.
Took an important part as a singer in the movie “Vinicius” about the life and work of Vinicius de Morais, directed by Miguel Faria Jr
Took part in the most recent cd recorded by Chico Buarque, "Carioca", singing the song “Imagina” composed by Chico Buarque and Tom Jobim.
Is rehearsing to record her 5th cd that is to be launched in April 2007.
Moro na Roça
Mônica Salmaso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eu nunca morei na cidade
Eu compro jornal da manhã
É pra saber das novidades
Eu moro na roça iaiá...
Minha gente cheguei agora
Minha gente cheguei agora
E Nossa Senhora
Eu moro na roça iaiá...
Xique Xique Macambira
Filho de Preto d'Angola
Inda bem não sabe ler
Já quer ser meste de escola
Eu moro na roça iaiá...
Era tu e era ela
Era ela era tu e eu
Hoje nem tu nem ela nem ela
nem tu nem eu
Eu moro na roça iaiá...
The song "Moro na Roça" by Mônica Salmaso celebrates the simple, humble life of living in the countryside. The singer declares that she has never lived in the city, instead choosing to buy the morning newspaper to keep up with the news. The repetition of "Eu moro na roça iaiá" emphasizes how content she is living in the rural area.
In the second stanza, the singer greets her people, announcing her arrival with God and Our Lady. The religious reference adds to the overall theme of traditional, rural living.
The third stanza tells the story of Xique Xique Macambira, the son of a Black Angolan who cannot read but already wants to be a schoolmaster. This shows the desire for education and better opportunities in rural areas.
The final stanza speaks about how things have changed over time. The singer references different relationships that have ended, emphasizing the transitory nature of life. The song as a whole highlights the beauty of living in the country and having a simple, uncomplicated life.
Line by Line Meaning
Contributed by Audrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.