O Zé

Brésil

Biography :

Born in 1977 in São Luis do Maranhão, Brazil, O Zé is actually named Harryson William, with his given name paying tribute to a member of the Beatles. The fairies watched over young Harryson-O Zé’s cradle to ensure him of a musical future.

In his home town, European and African influences have been in close contact for centuries. Harryson William was immersed in this blend of cultures and began very early on the percussions. At age 7, he left for the Amazon region where his mother, a teacher, had been transferred. There, Harryson William came into contact with indigenous culture.

As an adult, he became a educator, teaching his students music and handicrafts. At age 24, he decided to devote himself entirely to music. He gradually became known in his region and took part in various cultural events. Several years later there came another life change: he opened a cultural centre at Itaituba, along the shores of the Tapajós River. This spot was open to local artists, and he himself continued to play and perform on stage. Through this initiative, he helped present local cultural wealth and made many more contacts.

Early in 2010, Harryson William headed to Montreal to learn French, a language he admires. He then began writing about the difficulties of exile and his new day-to-day life. He delved into the realities of his new country and his native country, as well as the fragility of the environment. Mixing Portuguese, French and Spanish, his lyrics speak of his experiences, his exasperations and his pleasures in both countries.

He then decided to take the name O Zé (Mr. Everyman) and recorded his first album, Os Zé no mundo. During this time, there was a fresh round of contacts, enriching O Zé’s influences. In particular, he made the acquaintance of guitarist Guilherme Bulla, with whom he created the Zebu project in October 2010.