Carlos Barroso

Origin

Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ

Also known as

José Carlos Barroso, Barrosinho

Years Active

1970–2009

Genres

soul music, jazz, samba, maracatu, MPB

Instruments

trumpet, vocals

Biography

José Carlos Barroso, widely known as Barrosinho, was a talented Brazilian trumpet player, vocalist, arranger, and the creative force behind Maracatamba. Born in Campos dos Goytacazes, he emerged onto the Brazilian music scene in the 1970s, applying his rare musicality across various genres such as samba, maracatu, soul music, and jazz. He became a prominent figure in the Afro-Brazilian music movement, renowned for his distinct vocal arrangements and brass performances. Over his career, he collaborated with legendary names like Tim Maia, Tony Tornado, and Dom Salvador.

Throughout his active decades, Barrosinho was an integral part of several influential groups that shaped the sound of black music in Brazil. He performed with Dom Salvador's group Abolição and the legendary Banda Black Rio, and later joined one of the lineups of Banda Vitória Régia, which backed Tim Maia. His dedication to celebrating and elevating Black culture in Brazilian society strongly influenced his artistic output, which consistently highlighted African roots and social consciousness through music, such as his contribution to the 1988 album "Alma Negra".

In addition to his collaborative work, Barrosinho pursued artistic endeavors as a bandleader and producer, releasing projects like "Barrosinho & Maracatamba: Live In Montreux" in 1988 and his solo album "O Sopro do Espírito" in 1998. He also produced the 1991 debut record for Lucinha Madana Mohana, titled "Feiticeira de Jaya". Barrosinho passed away in Rio de Janeiro in 2009 due to complications from a circulatory condition, leaving behind a legacy as a vital innovator in Brazilian soul and jazz fusion.