Romeu Gentil was the composer of several hits in the genres song and Carnival samba. He began to play violão (acoustic guitar) at 16. At 18, he dedicated himself exclusively to music, facing hunger and other hardships. In 1938, Arnaldo Amaral recorded his "Estou Sentido Com Você" (written together with Príncipe Pretinho). After that, came "Que Calor" (with Raul Marques), recorded by Patrício Teixeira in 1940; "Dinheiro Não Cai Do Céu," recorded by Haydée Marcondes in 1941; "Era Ela" (with Joel), recorded by Joel, in 1942; and "Eu Sou Exu," recorded by Dalva de Oliveira in 1954. He began a prolific association with Paquito in 1948, which produced many Carnival hits like "Jacarepaguá" (with Marino Pinto, 1949); "Daqui Não Saio," 1950; "Tomara Que Chova," 1951 (all recorded by Vocalistas Tropicais); "Era de Madrugada," recorded by Bill Farr in 1952; "A Marcha do Conselho," by Roberto Paiva in 1954; "O Boi da Cara Preta," by Jackson do Pandeiro, 1956; "A Água Lava Tudo," by Emilinha Borba, 1957; "Bobeei," by the Trio de Ouro, and "Madalena Vai Casar," by Joel, in 1961; "Roubaram a Mulher do Rei," in 1963; and the big hit of 1964, "Bigorrilho" (with Sebastião Gomes), recorded by Jorge Veiga. As a singer, Romeu Gentil worked in Rádio Mayrink Veiga (beginning in 1940), Rádio Guanabara (1942), and recorded an album for Mocambo. ~ Alvaro Neder