Ed Motta

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1980s

Genres

soul, funk, disco, jazz, bossa nova, aor, MPB

Instruments

vocals, multi-instrumentation

Biography

Eduardo Motta, known professionally as Ed Motta, is a prominent Brazilian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist born in Rio de Janeiro on August 17, 1971. As the nephew of legendary singer Tim Maia, Motta was immersed in music from a young age, developing a deep appreciation for soul, funk, and disco before exploring rock and heavy metal during his youth. He initially fronted bands such as Kabbalah and Conexão Japeri, releasing his debut studio album with the latter in 1988 and scoring early national hits like "Manuel" and "Vamos Dançar".

Transitioning to a successful solo career, Motta established a sophisticated musical identity that blends soul, jazz, bossa nova, and AOR, famously incorporating scat singing and his own unique vocal improvisations known as "dwitiza". Over the decades, he has released numerous acclaimed albums, including Manual Prático para Festas, Bailes e Afins, Dwitza, Chapter 9, and Behind The Tea Chronicles, while collaborating with prominent international and domestic artists. His rich artistic palette has also extended to film soundtracks, theater arrangements, and voice work for Walt Disney animations in Brazil.

Motta remains a highly respected figure in Brazilian popular music, recognized by Rolling Stone Brasil for his exceptional vocal talent and creative output. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with and shared stages with notable icons such as Erasmo Carlos, Zé Keti, Rita Lee, Tom Jobim, and Chico Buarque, cementing his legacy as one of the most innovative and eclectic musicians in the country's contemporary scene.

Discography

• Ed Motta & Conexão Japeri (1988)
• Um Contrato com Deus (1990)
• Do You Have Other Loves? (1990)
• Música! (1990)
• Entre e Ouça (1992)
• Ao Vivo (1993)
• Manual Prático para Festas, Bailes e Afins Vol. 1 (1997)
• Pequeno Dicionário Amoroso (1997)
• Manual Prático para Festas, Bailes e Afins (1997)
• Remixes & Aperitivos (1998)
• As Segundas Intenções do Manual Prático (2000)
• Dwitza (2002)
• Natures Plan Featuring Ed Motta – Without Words (2002)
• Poptical (2003)
• Alex Attias & Ed Motta – Patinete / Sus 4 Jam (2003)
• Aystelum (2005)
• Ed Motta (Ao Vivo) (2006)
• Chapter 9 (2008)
• Piquenique (2009)
• Dose Dupla Ed Motta (2012)
• AOR (2013)
• Perpetual Gateways (2016)
• Timo Lassy feat. Ed Motta – When The Devil's Paid (2017)
• Criterion Of The Senses (2018)
• Behind The Tea Chronicles (2023)
• Toc-Toc (2026)