Carlinhos Antunes

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Genres

mpb, brazilian instrumental music

Instruments

guitar, multi-instrumentalist, vocals

Biography

Carlinhos Antunes is a Brazilian singer, composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist deeply rooted in Brazilian popular music. Born into a musical family, he grew up surrounded by diverse sounds, from his father singing Brazilian classics, boleros, and cha-cha-chas to his older brothers playing guitar in Jovem Guarda groups. Showing prodigious musicality from an early age, he began formally studying popular guitar at age eight and later immersed himself in classical guitar techniques, eventually dropping out of business school to dedicate his life fully to music.

Throughout his career, Antunes has collaborated and performed with numerous esteemed musicians of the Brazilian scene, including Filó Machado, Egberto Gismonti, Milton Nascimento, and Toninho Horta. His self-taught approach and dedication allowed him to master complex harmonies and vocal arrangements, leading him to record sophisticated compositions alongside prominent instrumentalists like Nenê, Nico Assumpção, and Léa Freire. His artistic path reflects a deep synthesis of popular traditions and rigorous classical training.

As a bandleader and conceptual artist, Antunes has spearheaded notable musical projects such as Orquestra Mundana and Orquestra Mediterrânea, exploring intercultural dialogues and diverse instrumental palettes. His discography includes acclaimed works like Paisagem bailarina, Mundano, and Muvuca, cementing his reputation as a versatile and innovative figure in contemporary Brazilian instrumental music.