Carlos Poyares

Origin

Colatina, ES

Years active

1933–2004

Genres

choro, instrumental music, mpb

Instruments

flute

Biography

Carlos Poyares was a renowned Brazilian composer and flautist who began his musical journey at a remarkably young age, studying the flute from five years old and performing across Brazil by age eight. Throughout his extensive career, he worked alongside iconic figures of Brazilian music such as Pixinguinha, Tom Jobim, Orlando Silva, and Waldir Azevedo. His virtuosity as a soloist led him to record 81 albums, earning critical acclaim and prestigious awards, including being named best record of the year in 1965, 1975, and 1980 for recordings utilizing a traditional tin flute.

Beyond his performance career, Poyares was a dedicated music historian and researcher of Brazilian instrumental popular music, particularly preserving the legacy of Pixinguinha. He founded the music school in Penápolis and served as the visionary creator and director of the Brasília Choro School, deeply committing himself to educational outreach and passing down musical traditions to younger generations. His commitment to teaching was evident until his final days, as he was putting the finishing touches on a CD recorded with student musicians from the Raphael Rabello Choro School.

As a cultural ambassador, Poyares represented Brazil internationally on numerous occasions, performing extensively across Europe, Japan, and the Americas. He achieved significant global recognition in 1994 by winning the international Fête de la Musique competition in Paris, triumphing over hundreds of ensembles from around the world. His life tragically concluded in 2004 following a stroke in Brasília, leaving behind a profound legacy as a master of the flute and a tireless champion of the choro genre.