Learning the flute when he was five, Manezinho da Flauta began to participate in novice shows at Rádio Tupi (Rio de Janeiro) around 1930. At 15, he became a pro and was hired by Rádio Guanabara, the next year joining the Farolito Danças dance band. When Humberto Teixeira toured Europe (France, England, and Belgium) to divulge the baião in 1961, he was accompanied by Manezinho. He also participated in the historic samba meetings at Cartola's bar Zicartola in 1963 and 1964. His first solo LP, O Melhor dos Chorinhos, was recorded in 1967. Manezinho also participated in the anthological LP Gente da Antiga, together with Pixinguinha, Clementina de Jesus, and João da Baiana. Another of the important and historical projects in which he participated was the recording of the LP Brasil, Flauta, Bandolim e Violão (Marcus Pereira), as a member of Evandro's regional. ~ Alvaro Neder