Ortinho

Origin

Caruaru, PE

Years active

1984

Genres

alternative rock, mpb, forró

Instruments

vocals, guitar

Biography

Wharton Gonçalves Filho, known artistically as Ortinho, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter born in Caruaru in 1969. He began his musical journey at a young age, working at Rádio Difusora de Caruaru and joining the band O Pílula e seus Cápsulas as a teenager. After relocating to cities like Blumenau, Recife, and São Paulo, he established himself as a prominent figure in alternative rock and contemporary Brazilian popular music, founding the influential band Querosene Jacaré in 1994.

Throughout his career, Ortinho has collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Chico Science, Lula Côrtes, Lula Queiroga, and Junio Barreto. His solo discography features critically acclaimed works such as Ilha do Destino, Somos, and Herói Trancado, the latter of which earned him the Prêmio Talentos Brasileiros from Contigo Magazine. His creative partnerships have yielded successful songs recorded by artists like Arnaldo Antunes, Marcelo Jeneci, and Maria Bethânia.

In addition to his rock endeavors, Ortinho has explored traditional northeastern rhythms, releasing the forró album Caruarus in 2022 to honor his hometown and master Azulão. He is also recognized as a multi-artist, having appeared in several Brazilian films and spearheaded cultural projects like Nordeste Psicodélico. His ongoing work continues to bridge traditional popular poetry with psychedelic rock elements, cementing his legacy in Brazilian music.