Carlos Henrique Machado

Origin

Volta Redonda, RJ

Also known as

Carlos Henrique Machado Freitas, Carlos Henrique Baiano

Years active

1967

Genres

choro, samba, música caipira, jongo, lundu

Instruments

bandolim, violão, cavaquinho, guitarra, pandeiro

Biography

Carlos Henrique Machado, also known as Carlos Henrique Baiano, is a prominent Brazilian musician, bandolinist, guitarist, researcher, and composer born on April 12, 1957, in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro. He comes from a musical family and began his journey with the guitar at age ten, later transitioning to the cavaquinho and then the bandolim at seventeen. For a decade, Machado served as a drum master for samba schools and blocks in the Vale do Paraíba region, showcasing his versatility beyond string instruments.

Machado is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the choro genre. He has led several choro groups, performing both in Brazil and internationally. His compositional work has earned him awards, and his music often incorporates elements of his roots, such as jongo, lundu, and caipira music, alongside choro and samba. His project "Vale dos Tambores" is a notable exploration of the rural music of the Vale do Paraíba and its influence on Brazilian culture, resulting in a double album and a book.

His dedication to preserving and promoting Brazilian musical heritage is evident in his research and artistic endeavors. Machado's first CD, "Comigo não, violão!" (2002), features fourteen original compositions and was well-received by critics and audiences. His subsequent project, "Vale dos Tambores" (2005), further solidified his reputation as a key figure in contemporary Brazilian music, particularly within the choro scene. He has been recognized with accolades such as the Prêmio Rival BR de Música Popular.