Caruaru, in the state of Pernambuco, is famous since the 19th century for being at the crossroads of the main routes linking the towns of Brazil’s north-eastern regions. Luiz Gonzaga sung about its rich and lively marketplace, an assembly of the many cultures that have lent some of their specific characteristics to Brazil: the slaves’ drums, the native Indians’ fife (or Pife), the Italians’ accordion and the influence of the French and Portuguese quadrilles. The forró arose from these encounters, grew and soon the whole country had been won over by its infectious swing.

Valdir dos Santos Perreira was born in Caruaru on Saturday 17 October 1970 - a day for dancing, of course. His father, a fan of the repentistas and Jackson do Pandeiro, and his mother, an accordion player, encouraged him to study the arts. Until the age of 15, he lived in the area of São Francisco, known for its lively Rua Preta (Black Street) where he learnt the music of Caruaru and its people’s culture.

In 1999 Valdir Santos released his first CD, “Menino de Barro”, in 2000 the CD “É bafunga…” and in 2001 the CD “Coisas da Terra”, a success with critics and audiences in the northeast alike. In 2002 Valdir produced and composed the arrangements for the CD “O Forró de Heleno dos Oito Baixos”. He went on his first international tour with Heleno alongside the Fabulous Troubadors and the Bombes 2 Bal (whose songs and percussion he recorded and arranged on the CD “Danses avec ta Grand Mère”).

In 2003 Valdir released his 4th CD, “Moleque da Rua Preta” and spent his time between concerts in Brazil (in particular, opening the mega celebrations for Saint Jean in Caruaru in front of over 100,000 people) and voluntary work, such as the P.I.M (Musical Initiation Project) whose aim is to introduce young people to the musical traditions of Jacinto Silva, Azulão, Tavares da Gaita and other masters of Brazilian folk music. Between 2003 and 2005, Valdir travelled the world f alongside his friends Fabulous Trobadors, Silvério Pessoa and Heleno dos 8 baixos, promoting the essence of Pernambuco’s forró in France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Malaysia.

In 2006, with the release of his latest CD in Europe, Valdir will present the authentic forró of Caruaru as a quintet, performing hits by Jacinto Silva, Jackson do Pandeiro and Ary Lobo as well as many of his own compositions.