Zé Maria

Born in 1987, Lisbon. Having "studied" classical piano since he was 7, begins his saxophone studies by the age of 13, in the local philharmonic.Discovers jazz music one year later and since then has attended workshops with Dave Liebman, Aaron Goldberg, Frank Tiberi, Greg Tardy, Dave Binney, Perico Sambeat, Jesus Santandreu, Carlos Barretto, among others.Proceeds jazz studies for two years with Pedro Moreira in Lisbon’s HOT CLUBE jazz school.In 2006, he was chosen to represent this school in the IASJ International Meeting, in Kentucky, USA.Also in 2006, was distinguished with an award for his participation in the jazz festival “Festa do Jazz”.Zé Maria is nowadays a member of TORA TORA BIG BAND and HOT CLUBE DE PORTUGAL's big band. He is currently playing as a freelancer in a number of projects such as cape-verdean singer TITO PARIS, COOL HIPNOISE (recorded for their latest album), and many other.Zé Maria was admitted to the Jazz Saxophone Bachelor's Programme on the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. It took him three months of classes and terrible weather to make him come back to his hometown where he is now looking forward to learn and play with the great musicians of Lisbon.