Valtinho Jota

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years Active

1992

Genres

samba, pagode, MPB, romantic music, soul music, bossa nova

Instruments

voice, acoustic guitar, cavaquinho, banjo, percussion

Biography

Valter de Jesus Adão, artistically known as Valtinho Jota, is a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, music producer, arranger, and instrumentalist. Born in São Paulo on September 20, 1977, his musical career began around the age of 15, when he started dedicating himself to the cavaquinho, an instrument whose passion he shares with his great-uncles, who were also musicians. His trajectory is marked by a vast body of original work, with over 500 compositions recorded by major names in Brazilian popular music, such as Alcione, Daniel, Leci Brandão, Belo, Exaltasamba, Sorriso Maroto, and international artist Christian Castro. Valtinho Jota also had a notable stint as the lead singer of the group Sampa Crew, between 2008 and 2010, further consolidating his presence in the music scene.

Throughout his career, which now spans over three decades, Valtinho Jota has demonstrated versatility and talent on several fronts. In addition to composing and singing, he works as a producer, arranger, and instrumentalist, playing voice, acoustic guitar, cavaquinho, and banjo. His solo discography includes albums such as "Demoro" (2001), "Valtinho Jota Ao Vivo" (2007), "Valtinho Jota 15 Anos" (2014), and "Ancestralidade" (2024), the latter celebrating his 30-year career and exploring themes of ancestry and gratitude, featuring guest appearances by artists like Leci Brandão and Jair Oliveira. The album "Ancestralidade" also stood out for its cover created with artificial intelligence, recreating a childhood scene of him alongside his grandmother.

Valtinho Jota is recognized for his ability to move across different musical genres, with a strong inclination toward samba, pagode, and MPB, while also flirting with romantic music and soul music. His song "Amor Eterno", recorded by Christian Castro, reached the top of Billboard. Currently, the artist resides in Portugal and remains active in music production, releasing singles like "Todo Sempre", in partnership with Jorge Vercillo, and exploring new projects that reaffirm his importance as one of the most respected songwriters in contemporary Brazilian music. He has also performed as a cavaquinho player in samba schools such as X9 Paulistana and as a singer for Mocidade Alegre.

Discography

• Demorô (2003)
• Valtinho Jota 15 Anos (2014)
• Do Meu Jeito (2020)
• Deserto (2022)
• Ancestralidade (2023)
• Todo Sempre (2025)