Jacob Do Bandolim

Bio

Jacob do Bandolim (1918–1969) was a Brazilian mandolin virtuoso and composer who helped shape the choro tradition in Rio de Janeiro. Born Jacob Pick Bittencourt, he adopted the stage name “Bandolim” after the instrument he mastered, becoming one of its foremost interpreters. His precise technique and lyrical phrasing elevated the mandolin from a folk instrument to a respected voice in Brazilian popular music. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s he recorded landmark 78-rpm discs and led the regional ensemble Época de Ouro, whose radio broadcasts popularized choro nationwide. Compositions such as “Noites Cariocas,” “Tico-Tico no Fubá,” and “Dois Destinos” remain staples of the repertoire. Although his career was cut short by a fatal heart attack at age 51, his recordings and pedagogical influence continue to guide generations of Brazilian musicians.