Carlos Sandroni

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Genres

mpb, samba, choro

Instruments

violão

Biography

Carlos Sandroni was born in Rio de Janeiro on November 25, 1958. A composer, classical guitarist, writer, and ethnomusicologist, he stood out both for his academic production and his original work, characterized by harmonic sophistication and refined critical humor. As an instrumentalist, he was a member of the Rio de Janeiro Guitar Orchestra, led by Turibio Santos, and released his self-titled album "Sem Regresso" in 2014. His compositions have been recorded by important interpreters of Brazilian music, such as Milton Nascimento, Adriana Calcanhotto, Olivia Byington, and Mário de Adnet.

In addition to his artistic work, Sandroni had a remarkable academic career. A PhD in musicology from the University of Tours, he was a full professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) and founded the Brazilian Association of Ethnomusicology, serving as its first president. He played a fundamental role in the preservation of Brazilian cultural heritage, having been the technical officer responsible for the registration dossiers of the Samba de Roda of the Recôncavo Baiano at UNESCO and the Traditional Matrices of Forró at IPHAN. In academic literature, he published reference works such as "Feitiço Decente: transformações do samba no Rio de Janeiro (1917 - 1933)" and "Mário contra Macunaíma".

Carlos Sandroni passed away in his hometown on October 28, 2025, leaving an indelible legacy for ethnomusicology and the appreciation of traditional northeastern expressions. His dedication to research and the defense of popular manifestations such as forró, samba de roda, caboclinhos, and ciranda ensured the safeguarding of important pillars of Brazilian culture. His musical work and intellectual rigor continue to influence new generations of musicians, researchers, and professors throughout the country.