Underrated composer Lauro Maia's profound research of the folklore of his region produced the creation of a new style, the balanceio, anticipating by a short while the process of urbanization the baião undertook by Luís Gonzaga and the coco by Jackson do Pandeiro. Taking his first theory lessons with his mother, Maia became a professional early on, playing at the local cinema and for animated silent movies. In 1938, he formed the Quinteto Lupar, which performed regularly at the Ceará Rádio Clube, also being the group's artistic director. In addition, he wrote arrangements for singers. Moving to Rio, Maia had his Eu Vi um Leão and his Trem de Ferro (one of his biggest hits, re-recorded by João Gilberto in 1961) recorded by the Quatro Ases e Um Coringa. Faísca was recorded by Raul de Barros, becoming a hit. Maia also had success with songs written with his brother-in-law (and Luís Gonzaga's partner) Humberto Teixeira, like Trem-o-lá-lá (recorded by Carmélia Alves), Só Uma Louca Não Vê (recorded by Orlando Silva), and Deus Me Perdoe (recorded by Ciro Monteiro). In the balanceio style, he wrote Marcha do Balanceio (recorded by Joel e Gaúcho) and Tão Fácil, Tão Bom (recorded by the Vocalistas Tropicais). ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi