Caetano Veloso (born 7 August 1942) is one of the most popular and influential Brazilian composers and singers.
He was born in Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia, Brasil, the fifth of the seven children born to José Telles Veloso ("Seu Zezinho") and Claudionor Vianna Telles Veloso ("Dona Canô"). His younger sister,
Maria Bethânia, preceded him to fame as a singer in the mid-1960s. He began his career singing
bossa nova and he has cited his greatest musical influences from his early period as
João Gilberto and
Dorival Caymmi.