Trio Mocotó, formed in 1968 at São Paulo's Jogral nightclub, is renowned for pioneering the samba rock genre—a vibrant fusion of traditional Brazilian rhythms with American soul and funk influences. The trio, comprising João Parahyba (drums, vocals), Nereu Gargalo (percussion, vocals), and Luiz Carlos Fritz "Fritz Escovão" (guitar, vocals), gained prominence as the backing band for Jorge Ben, contributing to seminal albums like "Fôrça Bruta" and "Negro É Lindo." Their 1971 hit "Coqueiro Verde" solidified their status in Brazilian music. After a hiatus, they reunited in 2000, releasing acclaimed albums such as "Samba Rock" and "Beleza! Beleza!! Beleza!!!," reaffirming their influential role in Brazil's musical landscape. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trio_Mocot%C3%B3?utm_source=openai))