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Brazilian composer and guitar virtuoso central to the Bossa Nova movement, internationally renowned for his film compositions.Born in Rio de Janeiro, Bonfá began guitar studies at age 11 under Uruguayan master Isaías Sávio. He gained global fame through his collaboration with Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes on the soundtrack for Marcel Camus' film 'Black Orpheus' (1959), which won the Palme d'Or and Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. His compositions 'Manhã de Carnaval' and 'Samba de Orfeu' became jazz standards. Bonfá recorded over 40 solo albums and performed globally until his death from cancer in 2001.

• Bonfá was rejected by classical guitarist Andrés Segovia during a 1939 audition, prompting his shift toward popular music composition.
• Despite 'Manhã de Carnaval' becoming one of the most recorded Brazilian songs worldwide, Bonfá received minimal royalties due to unfavorable publishing contracts.
• He lived in New York from 1962-1975, collaborating with jazz legends like Quincy Jones, Stan Getz, and Frank Sinatra.
• Bonfá battled financial difficulties in later years, living in relative obscurity in Rio despite his legendary status.