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It was in the early seventies. At MPM Propaganda, at the time the largest advertising agency in Brasil. The Caixa Economica Federal had approved an ad saying that it was the only company to offer (besides its good service, agility and technology) "the guarantee og our grandpa". The paramount element of the ad was a close-up of a grandfather. He had to be an engaging, charming, handsome man over sixty. Only after refusing many photograph models did an insight come to my mind: the character we were madly seeking - a distinguished handsome figure, an unforgettable grandfather - sat beside me every night in a bar in the Leblon neighborhood, the Degrau. His name: Marcelo Brasileiro de Almeida. Tall, strong, elegant, sensitive, fascinating, one of the few unconventional persons that still wore a vest and bow tie. Habitués of that happy table at the Degrau were, among others, Guci from Bahia (a car salesman); the respected horse trainer Gonçalino Feijó; the sadly missed pianist, Raul Mascarenhas; the economist Roniquito; the poet Paulo Mandes Campos; and the composers Paulo Soledade, Luis Reis, Luis Antonio and Braguinha (the marvelous João de Barro, who is still alive to enrich this story). |
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We laughed and drank a lot, especially when our group was joined every other night or so by one of the greatest composers of this century, maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim. He never stayed too long with us, but always brought a funny story and always did the same things: before sitting he would ask for Marcelo's blessing and before leaving would kiss Marcelo's cheek. On those noisy machista late night-early mornings at the Degrau, our gang never swallowed that scene easily: those two big, handsome men exchanging kisses. But out table always took as natural the respectful love that joined Antonio Carlos Jobim and his uncle Marcelo throughout their lives. Now I understand, when reading the loving biography of Tom, written by his sister Helena, that Marcelo was one of who most incentivated Tom's artistic calling. The world has this debt to him. Before my nostalgia suffocates me, I shall conclude by recounting that Marcelo gave the make-up lady a great deal of trouble during his only experience as a model. He had to be aged to hide his youthfulness in order to show his real age. That was Tom Jobim's beloved uncle.
Rio de Janeiro, January 7, 1997.
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Franco Paulino is a journalist. English translation: Teresa Abucham
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