The Quinteto em Branco e Preto (Quintet in Black and White) draws its name from the skin color of its members. With its repertory focused on traditional samba, the group is highly popular among the working-class audiences of São Paulo, where it was formed. Their adherence to the values of this genre brought them invitations to back up renowned sambistas, ultimately promoting the group's reputation throughout Brazil. The quintet has accompanied artists like Walter Alfaiate, Carlinhos Vergueiro, Nei Lopes, Wilson das Neves, and D. Ivone Lara in specials on TV Cultura (São Paulo), while in live shows it has backed up Guilherme de Brito, Wilson Moreira, Luís Carlos da Vila, Noca da Portela, Monarco, Almir Guineto, Jorge Aragão, Moacyr Luz, Germano Matias, Délcio Carvalho, Jamelão, and João Nogueira (in his last performance in São Paulo).

Spotted by Beth Carvalho, the group was adopted by her as her protegé. She gave them the name Quinteto Café com Leite (Milk and Coffee Quintet), but there was another group with that title, the reason why she herself gave them their present one. Included in Carvalho's performances around Brazil, the group had its first international experience in two shows at Johannesburg (South Africa), backing up the singer in September 2000. In the same year, the group released the CD Riqueza do Brasil with the participation of Almir Guineto, Beth Carvalho, Wilson das Neves, and Mauro Diniz, among others. The album presented, along with its originals, unpublished songs by Nelson Cavaquinho, Wilson Moreira, Monarco, Mauro Diniz, Luís Carlos da Vila, Wilson das Neves, Paulo César Pinheiro, Nei Lopes, Délcio Carvalho, and Elton Medeiros. Also in 2000, the group participated in Carvalho's live CD Pagode de Mesa 2, in which she interpreted Melhor Pra Nós Dois, by the group's members Magno de Souza/Maurílio/Paquera, and A Comunidade Chora (Magno de Souza/Maurílio/Edvaldo). ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi