Biography
Antônio Pecci Filho (born July 6, 1946), better known as Toquinho, is a Brazilian singer and guitarist renowned for his work as a composer and performer alongside Vinicius de Moraes.
Born in São Paulo to Italian immigrants Diva Bondioli and Antonio Pecci, Toquinho has a brother named João Carlos Pecci. His paternal grandfather hailed from Toro, and his paternal grandmother was from Calabria, while his maternal grandparents originated from Mantua. Due to his small stature as a child, his mother affectionately called him "meu toquinho de gente" ("my piece of person"), which inspired his nickname.
Toquinho's initial guitar lessons were with Dona Aurora, a piano teacher who also played guitar, though she was unable to continue teaching him. At 14, he began studying with Paulinho Nogueira and later learned harmony from Edgar Gianulo, classical guitar from Isaias Sávio, and orchestration from Léo Peracchi. He also studied under and became friends with Oscar Castro-Neves.
Beginning his performances in colleges, Toquinho's professional career gained momentum in the 1960s through shows organized by radio personality Walter Silva at São Paulo's Paramount theater. He co-composed his first recorded song, "Lua Cheia" (Full Moon), with Chico Buarque. His first major hit, "Que Maravilha" (What a Wonder), was composed in 1970 with Jorge Benjor.
That year, Vinicius de Moraes, co-writer of the global hit "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema), invited Toquinho to join a series of shows in Buenos Aires. This marked the beginning of an 11-year partnership that produced 120 songs, 25 records, and over a thousand performances. Following Vinicius de Moraes's death in 1980, Toquinho embarked on a solo career, frequently collaborating with musicians such as Paulinho da Viola, Danilo Caymmi, Paulinho Nogueira, and Chico Buarque.
Throughout his career, Toquinho has composed children's songs and recorded five albums aimed at young audiences, including "Arca de Noé" (1980) with Vinicius de Moraes and "Casa de brinquedos" (1983). He continues to record and perform, maintaining popularity in both Brazil and Italy.
In 2021, his album "Toquinho e Yamandu Costa - Bachianinha (Live at Rio Montreux Jazz Festival)," created with Yamandu Costa, won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album.
