Porca Véia (born Élio da Rosa Xavier on March 2, 1952, in Lagoa Vermelha, Rio
Grande do Sul) was a singer, composer, and accordionist who helped modernize and
popularize nativist dance music in southern Brazil while leading the baile
ensemble Grupo Cordiona. Raised in a family of amateur musicians, he began
performing as a child and, after winning numerous accordion contests, formed and
directed Cordiona, taking a fandangueiro repertoire of bugios, xotes, and
chamamés from community halls to major stages; along the way he guested with
figures such as Kleiton & Kledir and became a...