Carlos Malta

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Genres

instrumental music, MPB

Instruments

flute, piccolo, pife, bass flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone

Biography

Carlos Malta is a renowned Brazilian multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1960. He began his musical journey at the age of twelve, eventually purchasing his first flute at fifteen, an instrument he still cherishes today. Over his extensive career, he has mastered a vast array of instruments, including various types of flutes, clarinets, and saxophones, establishing himself as a celebrated figure in instrumental music.

Before launching his solo career, Malta performed professionally alongside prominent artists such as Johnny Alf, Maria Creuza, and Antônio Carlos & Jocáfi. A significant turning point in his artistic development was his twelve-year tenure touring and recording with the legendary Hermeto Pascoal between 1981 and 1993. This foundational experience allowed him to cultivate a unique musical voice and prepare for his subsequent solo endeavors and collaborative projects.

In the 1990s, Malta founded two influential musical groups, Coreto Urbano and Pife Muderno, the latter of which famously recontextualized traditional northeastern Brazilian pife flutes into modern arrangements. His dedication to innovative Brazilian instrumental music has earned him numerous accolades, including a Latin Grammy nomination in 2000 for his work with Pife Muderno. Through his performances, recordings, and educational work, Malta continues to be a vital force in preserving and evolving Brazil's rich musical heritage.

Discography

• Laércio de Freitas e Carlos Malta (1993)
• O Escultor Do Vento (1998)
• Pixinguinha Alma e Corpo (2000)
• Pimenta (2000)
• Tudo Coreto (2001)
• Carlos Malta e Pife Muderno (2004)
• Arthur Maia, Carlos Malta, Marcos Suzano, Victor Biglione – Ao Vivo em Vitória (2007)
• After The Carnaval (2009)
• Carlos Malta, Thomas Clausen – Dreamland (2017)
• Besouros (2017)
• O Mar Amor - Canções de Caymmi (2018)
• Duofel, Carlos Malta, Robertinho Silva – Duo + Dois (2019)
• Besouros: The Beatles Songs 2 (2021)
• Cidades Sonoras (2022)
• Pimentinha Sessions (2024)
• Obra viva de Hermeto Pascoal – Vol 1: flautas (2025)
• Tanajura (2025)
• Vento no aço (2026)
• Saudade do Paulo (2026)
• Carlos Malta, Daniel Pezzotti – Rainbow