Zé Luis

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Jose Luis Oliveira, a Rio de Janeiro born artist that goes by Zé Luis, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer with credits on more than 260 albums.

In his homeland of Brazil, during the eighties, he was a member of Caetano Veloso's band for seven years. Along with Gilberto Gil, he composed the score to the movie "A Subway to the Stars" directed by Carlos Diegues - one of the most prestigious directors from Brazil.

Recently, he released his first solo album, entitled Guarani Banana (Malandro Records/Trama), which was received with acclaim by critics and reviewers throughout the United States, including Saxophone Journal, Down Beat (Players), and Rhythm Magazine.

Fresh out of the musical direction of Bebel Gilberto's release Tanto Tempo (Six Degrees) Zé Luis went back to school to study classical composition with Stanley Wolfe at Juilliard where he was a a straight-A student.

Now, after finishing his newest album, Ze is ready for another round of live performances. He has been working live with his quartet Rio Zona Sul throughout New York City (Galapagos, NuBlu, Knitting Factory, etc…).

Zé Luis has performed at hundreds of corporate and private events including gallery openings, restaurant openings, weddings, pool parties, retail showcases, and government functions. His quintet was with Steven Scott Music from 1996-1997. He has done private parties at Boom Restaurant in Soho, and has worked the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center with both his Bossa Nova Quartet, and with the Café Wha? Band (Brazooca). This year, one private event highlight was a solo performance on tenor saxophone for an intimate dinner at the New York City residence of the General Consul of Brazil.

Zé Luis' performances always achieve the perfect balance of taste and groove.