Altamiro Carrilho (born Altamiro Aquino Carrilho; December 21, 1924 in Sant… Read Full Bio ↴Altamiro Carrilho (born Altamiro Aquino Carrilho; December 21, 1924 in Santo Antônio de Pádua, RJ – August 15, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, RJ) was a Brazilian musician, a flutist and composer. He is widely regarded as a master flutist and a major representative of the Brazilian choro genre, an instrumental musical genre popular in Brazil.

In a career spanning over 70 years, Altamiro recorded over one hundred albums, composed about two hundred songs and performed in more than forty countries. broadcasting Brazilian choro. Altamiro was often featured in several symphony orchestras, displaying his great musical versatility. His main instrument was a transverse flute. Some of his main songs were "Rio antigo", "A galope", "Acorda, Luiz", "Bem Brasil" and "Canarinho teimoso".

He was the flutist with the greatest number of recorded albums in Brazil, in addition to being considered by critics and specialists in the field as one of the greatest flutists in the history of the instrument. He was considered by the French flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal as the best flutist in the world.

A very active studio musician, Altamiro recorded at least two of the most unmistakable flute introductions in the history of Brazilian MPB (Brazilian Popular Music): the hits "Detalhes" by Roberto Carlos and "Meu Caro Amigo" by Chico Buarque. In 1976, Roberto Carlos invited Carrilho to his traditional Christmas show on TV Globo - the main Brazilian TV channel. Altamiro played Roberto’s hit “O calhambeque". Roberto then said: "I've already recorded in Europe and the United States - such a talent as Altamiro Carrilho's, I can count on the fingers of one hand”.

Background

Altamiro Aquino Carrilho was one of eight children of Ms. Lyra de Aquino Carrilho and dentist Mr. Octacilio Gonçalves Carrilho. One of his brothers was also a flutist: Álvaro Carrilho. His mother was named Lyra due to the fact that his maternal grandfather, Carlos Manso de Aquino, was very passionate about music.

Altamiro got his first flute at the age of 5, as a Christmas gift. He then started producing his own bamboo instruments. It wasn't until the age of 11 that he started taking free music lessons from a postman.

In 1938, he joined his grandfather's band "Banda Lira de Arion", in which he played a Brazilian tarol drum (caixa-de-guerra or “war snare”) - an incredibly versatile instrument used in bands concerts, drumlin’s, orchestras and parades. In 1943 he debuted recording at Odeon Records in Brazil, taking part in the album of Moreira da Silva in the 78 rpm format. After Lira de Árion, he started studying flute,

Shortly afterwards, he obtained the first prize in “ Calouros em Desfile” (freshman program) of Ary Barroso. He worked as a pharmacist and continued his music studies at night, until he was able to buy a second-hand flute and start his career.

In 1949 he recorded his first choro, "Flauteando in Chacrinha", and in the following year he set up his own ensemble at Radio Guanabara in Rio.

In 1951 he joined the ”Regional do Canhoto” ensemble (f. 1934), being hired by Radio Mayrink Veiga. He replaced Benedito Lacerda - a fellow flutist composer and partner of Pixinguinha. While in the Altamiro Carrilho & Regional do Canhoto ensemble, he was joined by Brazilian stars such as Vicente Celestino, Orlando Silva and Francisco Alves.

In 1958 he formed the band “Altamiro e Sua Bandinha” (Altamiro and His Little Band); they had a show in the main TV station at the time, TV Tupi, and spawned the hit “Rio Antigo” (Old Rio), with more than 700 thousand copies sold. Also in 1958, he received the prize “Microfone de Ouro” (Golden Microphone), established by Radiolândia magazine.

In the '60s he toured abroad, and in the following decade became one of the most sought after flutists, due to the movement of rediscovery of choro. From his discography, the albums "Choros imortais" (1964) and "Choros imortais 2" (1965) are, according to specialists, some of the most remarkable works in the history of the genre. He made fame as a great improviser and was a member of several bands, taking part in albums and concerts.

In 1997 his album "Flauta Maravilhosa" received the Sharp award for best instrumental album.

Altamiro, who received the esteemed title of “Cidadão Carioca” (Citizen of Rio), lived in the neighborhood of Copacabana.

He was active until his passing, taking part in recording sessions and concerts, always favoring choro, but had found it difficult to perform in his final years. Shortly before his death he was admitted to São Lucas hospital, also in Copacabana, dying of lung cancer at age 87. Altamiro leaves a daughter, named Marina.

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