Legendary Brazilian Singer Dorival Caymmi Dies at 94

One of Brazil’s most popular singers, Dorival Caymmi, died Saturday, August 16 at his home in Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro, of kidney cancer. He was 94.

Caymmi became popular as a composer when Brazilian actress Carmen Miranda performed one of his songs, "O que é que a baiana tem?". Since then, Dorival Caymmi’s songs have been performed by some of Brazil’s best known singers.

He was born April 30, 1914, in Salvador de Bahía and moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1937. Some of his best known songs include "Oração de Mãe Menininha", which was recorded by renowned singers such as Gal Costa and Maria Bethania. Other famous songs written by Caymni are:  "Maracangalha", "Promessa de Pescador", "Saudade de Itapoa" , "Rosa Morena" , "Saudade da Bahia" and "Você já foi à Bahia?".