- country:Brazil
- region:Minas Gerais
- style(s):Instrumental, World Jazz
- label:not signed
- type:Quartet
- instrumentation:instrumental, jazz combo
- artist contact:Minas Gerais Music Forum
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The inspiring and sophisticated way of playing the guitar, along with his rich and singular compositions, has made Toninho Horta one of the most influential musicians worldwide.
Coming from a family of musicians — his grandfather, Maestro João Horta, was a noted composer of sacred and popular music during the rich baroque period in Minas Gerais — Toninho had his first lessons from his mother and mandolinist Geralda and his brother Paulo, a contrabassist who had a great influence on Toninho’s music by introducing him to jazz records from the 1950s and 1960s. Toninho’s first song was composed at the age of 13, with lyrics by his sister Gilda.
At the II International Song Festival held in Rio de Janeiro (1967), Toninho participated with two songs: Maria Madrugada (lyrics by Junia Horta) and Nem é Carnaval (with Márcio Borges), gaining prestige as a new expressive composer.
Toninho Horta moved to Rio in 1970 and quickly joined Elis Regina's band, also performing on the recordings and tour of the album Ela. In 1972, Horta made a significant contribution to the legendary record Clube da Esquina by Milton Nascimento, playing acoustic and electric guitars, bass, percussion, and vocals. He also contributed to the album's concept through his arrangements and his colorful and vibrant guitar playing, which were highly notable.
In 1973, he served as the guitarist for Gal Costa's album and tour Índia, and shortly afterward reunited with Milton and the Som Imaginário band for the recording of Milagre dos Peixes concert, performed live with an orchestra. Toninho's songs have been recorded by various artists including Leny Andrade, Tamba Trio, Nana Caymmi, Joyce, and Sérgio Mendes. During this period, he also contributed to recordings for artists such as Dominguinhos, Edu Lobo, Chico Buarque, Maria Bethânia, and Dori Caymmi.
In 1976, after his first appearance in the United States for recordings with Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, and his partner Milton Nascimento, Toninho was invited to record and tour with renowned artists such as Manhattan Transfer, Astrud Gilberto, George Duke, Pat Metheny, Nicola Stilo, Akiko Yano, Ken Hirai, Rudi Berger, Jack Lee, and Lisa Ono. He also had some of his songs recorded by Norman Connors and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Throughout his 55-year career, Toninho has recorded about 1,300 tracks and received homage through 120 songs dedicated to him by musicians worldwide. His name appears in many representative music books as one of the most important artists in the jazz scene. In 1977, he was named the fifth-best jazz guitarist by Melody Maker Magazine, and the seventh-best in 1978.
In 2005, the American labels Sony and BMG released a compilation box called 100 Years of Jazz Guitar Progressions, with biographies and four CDs featuring the 74 best jazz and blues guitar players of the last century. Toninho Horta is featured among stars like Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton.
Toninho has released approximately 40 albums throughout his career — solo works, features, appearances, and collaborations — on esteemed labels such as Verve/Polygram, EMI, and Polydor K.K. (Japan), among others. He boasts three Grammy nominations in the "Best Album of Brazilian Popular Music" category: Com o Pé no Forró (2005), Harmonia & Vozes (2011), and won the 2020 Latin Grammy Award for his double album Belo Horizonte, featuring the Orquestra Fantasma band.
Currently, he is immersed in the creation of a new album titled Standards & Stories, where he lends his voice to romantic classics like What a Wonderful World, My Romance, Smiles, and I Love You, accompanied by an orchestra.
Last November, Toninho participated in the farewell concert of Milton Nascimento, alongside other composers and singers from Clube da Esquina. This major event took place at Mineirão Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, in front of 53,000 people.
In the upcoming September, Toninho Horta will release his latest album Bons Amigos, featuring jazz singer Dorota Miśkiewicz, and embark on a two-week tour in Poland. Looking ahead to 2024, his Brazilian production company Terra dos Pássaros is preparing a major worldwide tour for Toninho Horta alongside his band Orquestra Fantasma, featuring special international guest appearances.