Born on August 17th, 1951 in Conceição, Paraíba, deep in the forró heartland of
northeastern Brazil, singer-songwriter Elba Ramalho has conquered multiple
genres and numerous instruments over the course of an illustrious career. First
making a name for herself amidst her university studies as the drummer and
co-founder of girl group As Brasas, she later joined Rio-based ensemble Quinteto
Violado in 1974, and can be heard as the lead vocalist on the live album A
Feira, recorded the same year. Ultimately dropping out of her degree course as
she found herself increasingly aware that...