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By most standards, Rio de Janeiro native Ivan Lins came to music late in life. At the age of 18, he began playing piano by ear, and in less than two years, was playing clubs in his home district of Tijuca. While majoring in chemical engineering in college, he discovered his true talent – song writing. His first hit “Madalena,” was followed shortly by “O Amor É o Meu País,” “Começar de Novo,” “Desesperar Jamais,” “Aos Nossos Filhos” and “Vitoriosa,” all sung either by Lins or the two great interpreters of his songs, Elis Regina and Simone. After being discovered by Quincy Jones in 1979, his songs attracted interpretations by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, The Manhattan Transfer, George Benson, Barbra Streisand, Sting and Jane Monheit. Today, Ivan Lins is one of Brazil’s most recorded and best-known composers. His career has spanned 35 years and produced 27 records, with over 350 songs recorded around the world.

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