Antônio Pecci Filho, better known as Toquinho, was born July 6, 1946, in São Paulo, Brazil. He began playing guitar at 14 and used the nickname his mother had given him, Toquinho. He learned music with masters such as Paulinho Nogueira, Edgar Janulo, Òscar Castro Nieves, Isaías Sávio and Leo Peracchi. In the 1960s he started to accompany professional performers, such as Elis Regina, Chico Buarque, Trio de Zimbo, Señales De Valle, Trío Jazz de Bossa Nova Tayguara, etc.
At 17, he made good friends with Chico Buarque, with whom he composed one of his first songs Luna Llena. In 1966, he recorded his first LP, O violâo do Toquinho, and a year later, he composed Boca da Noite, together with Paulo Vazolini, which became one of his best known songs.
In 1969, he traveled to Italy with Chico Buarque and they played over 40 concerts. Back in Brazil, he recorded his second LP, Toquinho, which includes his first hit, “Que maravilha,” written with Jorge Benjor.
It was at Buarque’s home where he met Vinicius de Moraes and the renowned poet was very impressed with the young guitarist. Vinicius said: “I have collaborated with excellent musicians like Tom Jobim, but I am petrified with my new colleague: Toquinho is extremely versatile. He performs a waltz like a samba; he is a prodigious person who manages to communicate with all means”.
Toquinho was 33 years younger, but the connection was sensational. In 11 years they recorded 110 songs, and they collaborated in over one thousand shows. Brazil and the rest of the world were charmed by this collaboration and productivity. This relationship had its first rewards in August 1970, with a recording at café La Fusa (Buenos Aires), which also included Maria Creuza. The La Fusa LP became a hit worldwide.
Other highlights from Toquinho and Vinicius de Moraes are the recording of La pazzia, l’inconscieza, l’allegria (1976), with Ornella Vanoni; the Caneçao (Río de Janeiro) show in 1977, with Tom Jobim, Vinicius, Toquinho and Miúcha, and the show Dez anos de Toquinho e Vinicius, in 1979.
In 2005, Toquinho released “Passatempo” on CD and DVD. It is a collection of songs that Toquinho liked to listen to, or sing, as a child and teenager.
In 2012, Toquinho received the Latin Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In a statement, the Latin Recording Academy said: “Renowned Brazilian composer, singer and guitarist Toquinho is the true definition of a musical prodigy. Considered a pioneer of the música popular Brasileira (popular Brazilian music) movement of the ’60s, at 14, he began studying guitar with notable impresarios Paulinho Nogueira, Edward Janulo (harmony), Isaias Sávio (classical), and Léo Peracchi (orchestration). As his talent grew, he composed his first big hit, “Que Maravilha,” which led to a partnership with lyricist Vinicius de Moraes that would produce 120 songs and numerous live performances abroad. With 75 recorded works and a musical career spanning four decades, he continues working and touring worldwide.”
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.