Zé Luis the Composer

Rio de Janeiro native, Zé Luis (José Luis Oliveira) is a multi instrumentalist, composer, arranger and producer with a broad experience in Pop, Rock, Classical, Jazz and Brazilian music. With impeccable credentials Zé Luis has been credited in over 330 albums and recordings.

Starting the eighties in his homeland, Zé Luis was a steady member of Caetano Veloso's band for seven years also participating in several of his recordings. In 1987 Zé Luis worked with Gilberto Gil on the original score of acclaimed director Cacá Diegues film "A Subway to the Stars" (presented at the Cannes Film Festival that same year).

Also in Brazil, Zé composed hits and recorded with such top artists as Cazuza, Blitz, Lobão, Tania Maria, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Banda Black Rio, Ricardo Silveira, Marina Lima, Simone, Vinicius Cantuaria, Luizão Maia, Claudio Nucci, Mario Adnet, Joana and Bebel Gilberto.

Living in New York City since 1990 Zé Luis attended the Juilliard School to study Composition and Contemporary Music with Stanley Wolfe. In New York Zé has worked with many international artists, whose diverse styles expanded his range as a sax and flute player. These experiences also influenced him as a composer, arranger and producer.

His first solo album "Guarani Banana" (Malandro Records / Trama) was awarded finalist by the Crossroads Music Awards in 2000 in the 'World Contemporary Music' category. This release was highly acclaimed in the USA press including Saxophone Journal, Down Beat, Rhythm and Jazziz magazine among many.

As an on-demand composer/producer in the New York scene, Zé has freelanced for music production houses like Tomandandy, Music For Picture, Pull and Q Department and more. Zé Luis was awarded with the TUSCULUM video award (Greeneville, TN) and the Telly Awards for his work on the documentary "It's Not Easy" directed by Frank Melli. He was also awarded for his work in the dance performance "Big Judy" created by Patricia Hoffbauer and produced by David White (Dance Theater Workshop) in 1993.

Zé worked as Musical Director for Bebel Gilberto's live band on her first release "Tanto Tempo" (Ziriguiboom / Six Degrees)- the most successful Brazilian record since the Sergio Mendes era. Zé and Bebel kept playing together and collaborating up to her latest release "Momento" (Ziriguiboom / Six Degrees).

Recent projects include credits as arranger/producer for releases such as "Maybe This Christmas Tree" and "In The Clear" (Nettwerk) with the band Ivy - licensed for the "Monster In-law" soundtrack, "Psychosamba" (Tratore) with Johann Heyss, "Don't Whisper Lies" (Wax Divine) with Astaire / Blondfire, "Find The Love" with Aisha Mike, "Sunshine After Midnight" with JJ Sansaverino. Zé also composed and produced the soundtrack for the documentary "En Rout To Baghdad" (directed by Simone Duarte).

In 2003 Zé Luis released his second solo album "Caiapó" (Z L Music NY/ INgrooves) and has been performing with the Zé Luis Quartet in NY and Jazz festivals around the country. He's also has been at the producing and arranging helm through the entire process of the Grupo Miguelito album, as well as Nina Miranda and Chris Franck's Zeep (Far Out Recordings-UK), Tonho Crocco and Paul Tabachneck. Licensed music for the TV movie "Raising In The Sun" with P. Diddy

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