Nelson Cavaquinho

October 29, 1911 — Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Nelson Antônio da Silva (October 29, 1911 – February 18, 1986), better known by the stage name Nelson Cavaquinho, was one of the most important singer/composers of samba. He is usually seen as a representative of the tragic aspects of samba thematics, with many songs about death and hopelessness. He was a prominent figure of samba school Estação Primeira de Mangueira.