1/11/2024 – 20:00h. Casa Anchieta, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife. (Free admission until full capacity is reached)

2/11/2024 – 12:00h. Masterclass, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

2/11/2024 – 20:00h. Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

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 that had a great influence on Toninho’s music by introducing his 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. Also, he 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 right after that he reunited again with Milton and the Som Imaginário band for the recording of “Milagre dos Peixes” concert, live with an orchestra. Toninho’s songs have been recorded by various artists including Leny Andrade, Tamba Trio, Nana Caymmi, Joyce, and Sérgio Mendes. In this period, he has 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 the recordings with Flora Purim, Airto Moreira and his partner Milton Nascimento, Toninho was invited to recordings and touring with renowned artists such as Manhattan Transfer, Astrud Gilberto, George Duke, Pat Metheny, Nicola Stilo, Akiko Yano, Ken Hirai, Rudi Berger, Jack Lee, Lisa Ono and also had some of his songs recorded by Norman Connors and Earth, Wind and Fire. Throughout his 55-year career, Toninho recorded about 1,300 tracks and received homage through 120 songs dedicated to him by musicians worldwide.

His name appears on 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, selected 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 4 CDs, featuring the 74 best Jazz & Blues guitar players from the last century. Toninho Horta is featured among stars like Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Jimmy Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton.

Toninho has released approximately 40 albums throughout his career, solos, featurings, appearances and collaborations. These works have been released by 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 Awards 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, with a gathering of other composers and singers from Clube da Esquina. This master event took place at Mineirão Stadium in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, in front of 53,000 people.