Jacob do Bandolim (1918-1969), Brazilian and Jewish, was a composer and instrumentalist. Born Jacob Pick Bittencourt, his stage name means Mandolin Jacob, after the instrument he played. One of the key founders of the Brazilian instrumental style choro, Jacob do Bandolim began his long musical career by plucking his violin with a hairpin, and very soon developed into the greatest mandolin virtuoso Brazil has ever known. His compositions virtually defined the choro style through the thirties