Célio Balona

Célio Balona was born in Visconde do Rio Branco and began his musical career at a young age, playing in orchestras in Belo Horizonte. In the 1960s, he formed a group with fellow musicians from Minas Gerais, including Nivaldo Ornelas, Helvius Vilela and Wagner Tiso.

He recorded albums such as Música 18 Kilates and Balona Espetacular, and also composed film scores. After living in Florianópolis for ten years, he returned to Belo Horizonte. He died in the Minas Gerais capital in 2025.