A self-taught musician, Luís Reis learned to play the piano, guitar, drums, and pandeiro. His biggest hits were written with Haroldo Barbosa, "Palhaçada" (recorded by Miltinho), "Notícia de Jornal," and "Nossos Momentos." His songs were recorded by Elizeth Cardoso, Chico Buarque ("Notícia de Jornal"), Nana Caymmi ("Canção da Manhã Feliz"), and Boca Livre ("Nossos Momentos"), among other artists. Reis also wrote soundtracks for the cinema, like the one for the film Onde a Terra Começa (Rui Santos). Reis started as a professional in 1943, in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais). In 1944, he returned to Rio de Janeiro, participating as an accompanist in shows at Rádio Mauá. Also a journalist from 1956 to 1959, he was a member of Bené Nunes' group. Having performed with his own quartet at the Casa da Praia in 1960, in the same year Reis started to compose with Haroldo Barbosa. The earliest production of the duo consisted of "Projeção" and "Alô, Brotos" (the latter having been recorded by Sônia Delfino). They would also later create "Tudo é Magnífico." His first individual LP, Samba de Balanço, was recorded in 1962. In 1968, Reis participated in the II Concurso de Músicas de Carnaval (Carnival Song Contest), instituted by the Image and Sound Museum of Rio de Janeiro. He had two songs classified, "O Craque do Tamborim" (with Nássara) and "Zé do Surdo" (with Etmar Vieira de Andrade). ~ Alvaro Neder