Composer of the new generation of sambistas, Dudu Nobre has had an active participation and international experience in the samba scene as accompanist of famous artists like the older Almir Guineto and Zeca Pagodinho, among others. After having about 60 of his songs recorded in several artists' releases, Nobre reached his first solo album, Dudu Nobre, in 1999. At five, living in Rio's borough Vila Isabel, he was presented with an old cavaquinho by his building's doorman and he started to play that instrument; two years later he also took up the piano. Initiated in the mysteries of samba by godfather Wilson das Neves, a renowned drummer, and exercising his rhythmic feel at percussion instruments at the batucadas of Padre Miguel, which were supervised by the experienced Jorjão, Nobre took theory classes with Joaquim Nagler when he was still very young. He also studied harmony instruments like the violão. He took cavaquinho classes with Henrique Cazes. His parents, who are very fond of pagode, promoted two periodic get-togethers at the Rua dos Inválidos and Vista Alegre, where young Nobre had the opportunity to meet important sambistas like Beth Carvalho, Zeca Pagodinho, Grupo Fundo de Quintal, Almir Guineto, Neoci de Bonsucesso, Jorge Aragão, Carlos Dafé, Beto Sem Braço, Geraldo Babão, Baiano do Cacique, Dicró, Jovelina Pérola Negra, Deni de Lima, Cláudio Camunguelo, Cláudio Jorge, Grupo Só Preto, Pedrinho da Flor, Nei Lopes, Luiz Carlos da Vila, and Nelson Cavaquinho. Joining the junior samba school Alegria da Passarela, he was the primeiro campeão (first champion) in a partnership with the established samba composer Beto Sem Braço. Other junior samba schools he joined as composer and puxador mirim (junior main singer) are Império do Futuro, Aprendizes do Salgueiro, Herdeiros da Vila, and Estrelinha da Mocidade. He abandoned law school to dedicate himself exclusively to music. After two European tours and stints in the bands of Dicró, Pedrinho da Flor, and Almir Guineto, he became Zeca Pagodinho's cavaquinista (cavaquinho player), accompanying him for six years, a period in which he performed throughout Brazil and abroad. He is dedicated to his solo career and performs and participates in other samba artists' projects. ~ Alvaro Neder