One of the biggest names of the samba from Bahia, Batatinha studied music with conductor Santo Amaro and, between 1946 and 1947, presented his first compositions at the Rádio Sociedade da Bahia (run by Antônio Maria at that time, who encouraged the young sambista). In 1960, Jamelão recorded his "Jajá Da Gamboa" (with José Bispo). In 1964, Maria Bethânia sang his "Diplomacia" (with J. Luna) in the famous show Opinião, and, four years later, she recorded "Só Eu Sei" (Batatinha/J. Luna). Bethânia also recorded "Hora Da Razão" (Batatinha/J. Luna), "Toalha Da Saudade" (Batatinha), and "Imitação" (Batatinha) for her album Rosa Dos Ventos and "O Circo" (Batatinha) for Drama - Anjo Exterminado. In 1973, Batatinha recorded Samba da Bahia - Riachão, Batatinha e Panela, followed by the solo works Toalha Da Saudade (1976), Batatinha - 50 Anos de Samba (1993), and Diplomacia (1998). The latter, released posthumously, had interpretations by consecrated artists who admire his work: Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Maria Bethânia, Jussara Silveira, Riachão, Valdir Lima, Edil Pacheco, and Nelson Rufino. ~ Alvaro Neder