Jorge Palma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jorge Palma
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Palma in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jorge Manuel de Abreu Palma |
| Born | 4 June 1950 Lisbon, Portugal |
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| Instruments | Vocals, piano, guitar |
| Years active | 1967–present |
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Jorge Palma (born on June 4, 1950) is a famous singer and songwriter from Portugal. He is known for writing many popular songs. Jorge Palma started his own music career in 1972. Before that, he played music in the streets of different cities around the world. He came back to Portugal in 1982.
He became very popular in the late 1980s with songs like "Deixa-me Rir" and "Frágil". Later, in 2007, his song "Encosta-te a Mim" also became a big hit. Besides his solo work, Jorge Palma has also been part of several bands. These include Sindicato, Rio Grande, Cabeças no Ar, and his rock band, Palma's Gang.
Contents
Early Life and Music Journey
Jorge Palma was born in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 4, 1950. He started learning piano and reading music when he was just six years old. By the age of eight, he performed his first piano show at the Portuguese National Conservatory.
In 1963, when he was 13, Jorge Palma came in second place in a music contest in Spain. He also continued his school studies. Around 1964, his music taste changed. He began to focus more on pop-rock music instead of classical music.
Musical Career Highlights
Starting Out: 1967–1972
In the summer of 1967, Jorge Palma joined a band called Black Boys. He played the keyboard for them. The next summer, in 1968, he played keyboards for another band called Jets. He also performed with bands like Extravaganza and Beatnicks.
In 1969, Palma joined a rock band named Sindicato. At the same time, he was studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Lisbon. With Sindicato, he played at the first-ever Vilar de Mouros Festival in 1971. Sindicato released one single and an album of cover songs before breaking up in 1972. That same year, Palma also decided to leave his university studies.
Solo Career and Travels: 1972–1984
Jorge Palma's solo career began in 1972. He released a single called "The Nine Billion Names of God." The lyrics were in English and based on a science fiction story. After this, he worked with a famous poet, José Carlos Ary dos Santos. He wanted to improve his Portuguese songwriting skills. In 1973, he released his first Portuguese single, "A Última Canção."
To avoid joining the army during a time of war, Palma moved to Denmark with his wife in 1973. He lived there until June 1974. After a big change in Portugal's government in April 1974, Palma returned home.
In February 1975, Palma took part in a song festival called Festival da Canção. He sang two songs, "O Pecado Capital" and "Viagem." His first studio album, Com Uma Viagem na Palma da Mão, came out in 1975.
In 1977, he released his second album, 'Té Já. After this, he traveled to Spain and Brazil. He played music in the streets of many cities. He also spent time in Paris, France. There, he performed in bars, cafés, and even in the Paris Métro. He played songs by famous artists like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.
Palma returned to Portugal in 1979. He recorded and released his third album, Qualquer Coisa Pá Música. He then spent two more years in France.
In 1982, Palma came back to Portugal and released his fourth album, Acto Contínuo. In 1984, he recorded his fifth album, Asas e Penas. This was his first album since becoming a father the year before.
Becoming a Star: 1985–1991
In 1985, Palma released one of his most popular albums, O Lado Errado da Noite. It included the hit song "Deixa-me Rir," which became very successful in Portugal. Music critics praised the album, and it won several awards. The album's success led to a big tour across Portugal, including the islands of Madeira and Azores.
In 1986, Palma finished a piano course at the National Conservatory of Lisbon. He then started an advanced piano course there. He also released his seventh album, Quarto Minguante, that same year.
Three years later, in 1989, Palma released his eighth album, Bairro do Amor. This album was also highly praised. It features some of his most famous songs, like "Frágil" and the title song "Bairro do Amor."
Palma finished his piano studies in 1990. After his final exam, he was asked to record an album with only his voice and a piano. He liked the idea and recorded some of his best songs with a special Steinway piano. This album was called Só and came out in 1991. It was very well-received. In 2014, a music magazine called Blitz named it one of the best Portuguese albums ever.
New Projects: 1992–2001
After Só, Palma decided to go back to rock music with guitars. He formed a band called Palma's Gang. The band included members from other famous Portuguese bands. In 1993, Palma's Gang released a live album called Palma's Gang: Ao Vivo no Johnny Guitar. This album also featured Palma's songs but with a harder rock sound. The next year, Palma performed many shows across Portugal, sometimes solo and sometimes with Palma's Gang.
In 1996, Palma joined a new music project called Rio Grande. This band had other well-known Portuguese musicians. Their first album, released that same year, was inspired by traditional Portuguese music and became a huge success. In 1997, Rio Grande released a live album recorded in Lisbon. It included a new song by Palma called "Quem És Tu De Novo."
In 1998, Palma performed at several concerts during the Expo '98 World Fair in Lisbon. He also directed the music for a play. During the 1990s, Palma also worked with many other Portuguese artists.
Later Years: 2001–Present
After 10 years, Palma released a new solo album called Jorge Palma in 2001. This album won the José Afonso Prize for the best Portuguese album of that year.
In 2002, Palma released his first solo live album, No Tempo dos Assassinos. His son, Vicente, joined him for some of the performances. That year, he also joined a music project called Cabeças no Ar. They released one album.
In 2004, Palma released another studio album, titled Norte.
In 2007, the album Voo Nocturno came out. It featured the single "Encosta-te a Mim," which became a major hit in Portugal. The next year, a live album from the tour for Voo Nocturno was released.
In 2011, Palma released Com Todo o Respeito. This was his only studio album released during the 2010s.
In 2015 and 2016, Palma performed shows with another famous singer, Sérgio Godinho. A live album from one of their shows, Juntos - Ao Vivo no Theatro Circo, was released in 2015.
Palma released his most recent studio album, called Vida, in April 2023.
Personal Life
Jorge Palma has two sons, Vicente (born in 1983) and Francisco (born in 1996). In November 2008, Palma married Rita Tomé in Las Vegas. She is his current wife.
Discography
Here are the albums Jorge Palma has released:
Studio Albums
- Com Uma Viagem Na Palma da Mão (1975)
- 'Té Já (1977)
- Qualquer Coisa Pá Música (1979)
- Acto Contínuo (1982)
- Asas e Penas (1984)
- O Lado Errado da Noite (1985)
- Quarto Minguante (1986)
- Bairro do Amor (1989)
- Só (1991)
- Jorge Palma (2001)
- Norte (2004)
- Voo Nocturno (2007)
- Com Todo o Respeito (2011)
- Vida (2023)
Live Albums
- Palma's Gang: Ao Vivo no Johnny Guitar (with Palma's Gang) (1993)
- No Tempo dos Assassinos (2002)
- Voo Nocturno Ao Vivo (2008)
- Juntos – Ao vivo no Theatro Circo (with Sérgio Godinho) (2015)
- Só ao vivo (2017)
- 70 Voltas ao Sol – Ao vivo no Castelo de S. Jorge (2021)
Compilation Albums
These albums collect songs from different releases.
- Deixa-me Rir (1996)
- O Melhor dos Melhores (1998)
- Clássicos da Renascença (2000)
- Dá-me Lume: O Melhor de Jorge Palma (2000)
- Estrela do Mar (2004)
- A Arte e a Música de Jorge Palma (2004)
- Grandes Êxitos (2013)
- Grandes Êxitos Vol. 2 (2015)
Singles
These are individual songs released.
- "The Nine Billion Names Of God" (1972)
- "A Última Canção" (1973)
- "Pecado Capital" (with Fernando Girão) (1975)
- "Viagem" (1975)
- "Deixa-me Rir" (1985)
- "Dormia Tão Sossegada" (2001)
- "Encosta-te A Mim" (2007)
- "Página em Branco" (2011)
Honours
Jorge Palma has received an important award:
Commander of the Order of Prince Henry (awarded on November 17, 2020). This is a special honor given by Portugal.
See also
In Spanish: Jorge Palma para niños
