Meira was the most prominent six-string violonista (acoustic guitar player) of the regional (small group) tradition. Also a successful composer, he owed his financial stability to his writing skills. As a professor, he collaborated in the formation of distinguished musicians like Baden Powell, Maurício Carrilho, and Rafael Rabello. A musician from an early age, Meira joined the first formation of Luperce Miranda's group Voz do Sertão in 1927, together with his brother, Robson. In 1928, he accompanied the group to Rio, enduring tremendous hardships (Robson died of tuberculosis). Out of depression, Meira went to Europe without a project. Returning to Rio, things began to change, with his song Falando ao Teu Retrato being published in 1930 and recorded by Augusto Calheiros in 1935. His first recording as sideman was in 1934, accompanying Benedito Lacerda and his regional in Meira's choro Primavera (the name was later changed to Arranca Toco). In 1937, he substituted for violonista (acoustic guitar player) Carlos Lentine in Benedito Lacerda's regional, beginning one of the longest and most fertile violão duos of Brazilian music with Dino. With Canhoto (cavaquinho), they became one of the most celebrated accompanying trios of the history of the regionals. Some of his compositions had success in the '40s, like the valse Quando a Saudade Apertar (with Leonel Azevedo, 1942), Aperto de Mão (with Dino/Augusto Mesquita, recorded by Isaura Garcia in 1943 for Victor), the choro Deixa Pra Lá (with Augusto Mesquita, recorded by Isaura in 1945), and Amar Foi Minha Ruína (with Augusto Mesquita, recorded by Gilberto Alves in 1947). With Lacerda's retirement in 1950, his group became the Regional do Canhoto, who also had a noted career recording the members' choros and accompanying other artists. Meira's samba-canção Molambo (with Augusto Mesquita) was recorded with success by Roberto Luna and Cauby Peixoto. He appeared in the historic show +Samba Pede Passagem, written by Sidney Miller, in 1965 and participated in the recording of the LP Rosa de Ouro (Odeon) in the same year. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi