Toninho Horta

Origin

Belo Horizonte, MG

Also known as

Antônio Maurício Horta de Melo

Years Active

1961

Genres

jazz, MPB, bossa nova, instrumental

Instruments

guitar, acoustic guitar

Biography

Toninho Horta is one of the most sophisticated harmonic voices in Brazilian music history. Born into a deeply musical family in Belo Horizonte, his journey began early, influenced by his brother Paulo and the local scene. By his teenage years, he was already participating in prestigious song festivals. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he became a fundamental pillar of the Clube da Esquina movement, collaborating extensively with Milton Nascimento on landmark recordings that merged Brazilian folk, jazz, and rock elements.

His technical prowess and unique chord voicings earned him international acclaim, leading him to join the experimental group A Tribo alongside Joyce and Naná Vasconcelos. Throughout his career, Horta has played with the crème de la crème of both Brazilian and international music, ranging from Elis Regina and Tom Jobim to jazz giants like Pat Metheny, who cited Horta as a major influence. His 1980 debut solo album, Terra dos Pássaros, is considered a masterpiece of contemporary Brazilian instrumental music.

In the late 1980s, Horta relocated to New York City, further cementing his status as a global jazz icon with albums like Diamond Land. Beyond his performances, he is a dedicated educator and musicologist, having compiled the 'Livrão da Música Brasileira,' a massive compendium of Brazilian scores. His legacy continues to influence generations of guitarists worldwide, bridging the gap between Minas Gerais' regional sounds and the universal language of jazz.

Discography

• Beto Guedes, Danilo Caymmi, Novelli, Toninho Horta (1973)
• Toninho Horta (1980)
• Toninho Horta e Orquestra Fantasma – Terra dos Pássaros (1980)
• Diamond Land (1988)
• Moonstone (1989)
• Nivaldo Ornelas, Nelson Ayres (2), Marcio Montarroyos, Toninho Horta – Concerto Planeta Terra (1990)
• Once I Loved (1992)
• Durango Kid (1993)
• Foot On The Road (1994)
• Airto Moreira & Fourth World, Eddie Gomez Trio, Igor Butman Quartet, Toninho Horta And Special Guest William Galison – Live In Moscow - Москва MCMXCII (3 CD Collection) (1994)
• Qualquer Canção - Toninho Horta, Carlos Fernando e a Música de Chico Buarque (1994)
• Durango Kid 2 (1995)
• Joyce e Toninho Horta – Sem Você (1995)
• Jack Lee Featuring Bob James, Hilary James, Mark Ledford, Toninho Horta – Into The Night (1996)
• Serenade (1997)
• Jack Lee With Toninho Horta – From Belo to Seoul (1997)
• Flavio Venturini, Toninho Horta – No Circo Voador (1997)
• From Ton To Tom (1999)
• Toninho Horta, Nicola Stilo – Duets (1999)
• Carlos Fernando (4) & Toninho Horta – Qualquer Canção Chico Buarque (1999)
• Toninho Horta, Juarez Moreira, Chiquito Braga – Quadros Modernos (2001)
• Episodes (K-Pop Sessions in Rio) (2002)
• Com o Pé no Forró (2004)
• Solo Ao Vivo (2007)
• Toninho Horta & Arismar do Espírito Santo – Cape Horn (2007)
• In Vienna (2007)
• Tom Lellis, Toninho Horta – Tonight (2008)
• Harmonia e Vozes (2010)
• Minas-Tokyo (2012)
• Stefano Silvestri (5) e Toninho Horta – No Horizonte de Napoli (2015)
• Toninho Horta, Antonio Onorato – From Napoli To Belo Horizonte (2015)
• Alaíde Costa e Toninho Horta – Alegria É Guardada em Cofres, Catedrais (2015)
• Dori Caymmi, Edu Lobo, Mauro Senise, Toninho Horta, Zé Renato, Ricardo Costa (4), Jurim Moreira, Itamar Assiére, Igor Eça, Fred Eça – Em Casa com Luiz Eça (2017)
• Toninho Horta, Orquestra Fantasma – Belo Horizonte (2019)
• Toninho Horta no Estúdio Showlivre (Ao Vivo) (2019)
• Barbara Casini & Toninho Horta – Viva Eu - As Canções Brasileiras de Novelli (2020)
• Rudi Berger Featuring Toninho Horta (2021)
• Dorota Miśkiewicz & Toninho Horta – Bons Amigos (2023)
• Standards & Stories (2026)
• Guitar Elite Summit (2026)
• Dudu Lima , Parcipação Especial Toninho Horta – Cordas Mineiras