Vantuil de Carvalho

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1910s–1930s

Genres

samba, marcha, fox-trot

Instruments

trombone

Biography

Vantuil de Carvalho was a notable Brazilian instrumentalist, trombonist, orchestrator, and music teacher who stood out in the Rio de Janeiro music scene between the 1910s and 1930s. His musical training began at Escola Quinze de Novembro, where he shared learning experiences with names like Esmerino Cardoso and Sebastião Cyrino. His skill on the trombone quickly propelled him to prominence, establishing him as one of the prominent instrumentalists of his time.

Throughout his career, Vantuil de Carvalho was a member of the Victor record label's studio group, the renowned Grupo da Guarda Velha, under the direction of Pixinguinha. This collaboration placed him alongside iconic figures of Brazilian music, such as Donga, João da Bahiana, and Nelson dos Santos Alves, and allowed him to perform in emblematic venues like the Cabaré Assírio. His musical output includes successful compositions such as the fox-trot "Au revoir", recorded by the Orquestra Augusto Lima in 1925, and the march "Sou da fuzarca", which achieved great success in the 1929 carnival, being recorded by Benício Barbosa and later by Charles Strichazy.

Other compositions by Vantuil de Carvalho that marked an era include "Samba enxuto", recorded by Patrício Teixeira in 1929, and the march "Olha a pomba", released the same year and re-recorded by Francisco Alves in 1930. The sambas "Foram dizer" and "Fico espiando", both from 1930, are also part of his legacy. The march "És engraçadinha", released in 1930 by the Orquestra Brunswick, demonstrates the versatility of his work. Vantuil de Carvalho is remembered as a fundamental musician in the transition and consolidation of genres such as samba and marcha in Brazil.