Mário Telles / Mario Telles

A Brazilian bossa nova singer and lyricist, Mario Telles is also the brother of the early bossa singer Sylvia Telles, whose life ended tragically in a car accident in 1966. Much less prolific than his sister, Telles thus far has only released a single LP, the widely influential and self-titled Mario Telles, which was recorded in the 1960s and featured beautiful and impressive arrangements by Moacir Santos, Baden Powell, and Astor Silva. The album also marked the first recording of the bossa nova standard "Nana," based on a Santos composition called "Cosia No. 5" retooled with added lyrics written by Telles. Still an active performer in Brazil, Telles has appeared as a guest on several recordings but thus far has not added to his recorded legacy as a solo artist. Rev-Ola re-released Telles' lone album on CD under its original title in 2007.