Waldir Azevedo was a virtuoso Brazilian composer and musician, renowned for his innovative work with the cavaquinho, a small string instrument similar to a ukulele that is typically associated with samba and choro music. Born on January 27, 1923, in Rio de Janeiro, Azevedo started out playing the flute and the mandolin, but he achieved his greatest fame after he took up the cavaquinho. Unlike many musicians of his time who employed the instrument primarily in a rhythm capacity, Azevedo revolutionized its use by turning it into a leading melodic instrument.

His career took off in the 1940s and 1950s with the release of "Brasileirinho," an instrumental choro that remains one of the most popular pieces in the genre. Over the years, Azevedo composed more than 130 tunes, including other hits such as "Pedacinhos do Céu" and "Delicado," which further established him as a cornerstone of Brazilian instrumental music. His work has been celebrated posthumously in various collections, including "Primeiras Gravações," which captures some of his early recordings, and "Warner 25 Anos," a commemorative anthology of his enduring legacy. Waldir Azevedo passed away on September 21, 1980, but his influence on the cavaquinho and Brazilian music continues to resonate through volumes like "Série a Mágia - Vol III - O Cavaquinho de Waldir Azevedo," which showcases the magic and dexterity he brought to the instrument.