Arlindo Cruz and life before samba: military discipline and the dream of uniform

Long before becoming one of samba’s most respected names, Arlindo Cruz (1958-2025) dreamed of a very different way. Born in 1958, in the neighborhood of Engenho Novo, in Rio de Janeiro, he grew up surrounded by music, packed by the samba wheels and the spirit of Rio Carnival. At the age of seven, he won the first ukulele and found that he wanted to be a musician. But there was another dream on the horizon: the military career.

Encouraged by his parents, Arlindo dedicated himself to studies to join the Air Force. At 15, he won a place in the disputed EPCAR (Air Cadet Preparatory School), in Barbacena, Minas Gerais. It was three years of military discipline, away from home, until fate began to change its course.

Back in Rio, Arlindo plunged into the samba wheels of Cacique de Ramos, where he met icons such as Jorge Aragão, Beth Carvalho, Armless Beto, Ubirany, Almir Guineto, Zeca Pagodinho and Sombrinha – the latter would become his artistic life partner. The passion for music spoke louder, and he decided to leave his military career behind.

At first, it was not possible to live only from samba. Arlindo even worked as a banker, until the opportunity knocked on the door: with the departure of Jorge Aragão from the backyard group, he, who was already a guest musician, was called to join the official formation. It was 12 years dedicated to the group, until 1993, when he left for his solo career and, shortly after, began a historical partnership with a umbrella.

Arlindo died on Friday (8), at age 66, had a stroke in 2017 and spent the following years facing sequelae and complications. Arlindo had been hospitalized since March 25 at Barra D’Or Hospital, in the West Zone of Rio, after receiving a diagnosis of pneumonia. He had been discharged in June, but worsened and continued at the hospital.