Regional Do Canhoto

One of the most important "choro" bands in Brazil in the 40s was the Regional of flutist Benedito Lacerda that had Pixinguinha as soloist and co-leader for some time during the 1940s. When Lacerda left the group around 1950 after the successful co-work with Pixinguinha the leadership was taken over by the group's left-handed cavaquinho player, Canhoto (Waldiro Frederico Tramontano, 1908-1986). The group began their professional activities in 1951, accompanying great artists at Rádio Mayrink Veiga and recording for Victor. The members of Regional do Canhoto included, besides the leader on cavaquinho: violinists Dino and Meira, flutist Altamiro Carrilho, accordionist Orlando Silveira, and pandeirista Gilson de Freitas. In 1957, flutist Altamiro Carrilho left the regional to form his own Bandinha de Altamiro Carrilho, being replaced first by Arthur Ataíde, soon substituted by Carlos Poyares. They continued to play at Rádio Mayrink Veiga until the early '60s, when the radio station was closed and the group dissolved. Canhoto continued to be a highly requested cavaquinho player during the '70s.