It's been learned that Natalacio (Muçapere) Lima, one-half of the instrumental duo Los Indios Tabajaras died of stomach cancer November 15 at a nursing center in New York City. He was 91. Along with his younger brother Antenor, they came to New York from Ceará, Brazil in the late 1950s, passing an audition for "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scout" television program show, which they won. Eventually signed to RCA Records, their recording of the instrumental "Maria Elena" (a Mexican folk tune previously a hit for Jimmy Dorsey) in 1958 failed to chart and the brothers were forced to return home. However in 1961, a New York disk jockey chose the song as his theme, sparking its re-release two years later, where it got to #6. The two brothers were eventually reached in Brazil and were delighted to return to New York City, where they were now able to afford to take up permanent residence. Though they only charted once more, with "Always In My Heart" (#82-1964), but recorded over 70 albums and appeared on NBC-TV's "Tonight Show" a reported 27 times. Antenor passed away over ten years ago.Here are the two talented brothers, Los Indio Tabajaras, with their follow-up to Maria Elena, Always In My Heart.
