José Luis Segneri Oliveira (aka Zé Luis) (born December 17, 1957) is a Brazilian composer, saxophonist, flutist, producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist. Oliveira became famous in the 1980s performing and recording with Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Tania Maria and Cazuza.
Early life
Oliveira was born in Rio de Janeiro and as a child lived next to Antonio Carlos Jobim in the historic neighborhood of Ipanema. “These precious sounds of a legend arrested his soul, hooked him on music and never let him go.” - DownBeat magazineEarly on Oliveira began playing flute and in 1975 he graduated from Pro-Art Conservatoire in flute and traditional harmony. In 1977 he continued his studies in Performance Arts at Villa-Lobos Institute and soon after studied with renown Brazilian saxophonist and clarinet player Paulo Moura.
Career
1970s in Brazil
In the mid-70s he became heavily influenced by the album Native Dancer — the collaboration between American saxophonist Wayne Shorter and Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento. He was also drawn to the music and virtuosity of Ian Anderson, leader and flutist of the British band Jethro Tull.
Zé’s first professional engagements began with Brazilian vocalists Ney Matogrosso and Luiz Melodia.
1980s in Brazil
Oliveira met pianist Tomás Improta while working with Brazilian actress and singer Zezé Motta, who was working at that time with emerging international talent Caetano Veloso — a composer, singer, guitarist, writer, and political activist.
Improta invited Oliveira to record on Caetano's album Outras Palavras and soon after Veloso showed up to a performance where Oliveira was backing singer Marina Lima. After the show, Caetano invited Oliveira to join his newly formed band. This ignited a professional relationship with Caetano from 1981 to 1987 as a member both A Outra Banda da Terra and Banda Nova. His association with Caetano Veloso led to performances at the most respected theaters, clubs and festivals around the world.
During this time Oliveira also worked extensively with Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter Gilberto Gil which included a performance with Gil at the first Rock in Rio in 1985 and working with The Wailers on the seminal album Raça Humana.
In 1986 Oliveira was invited to be part of the popular show Chico & Caetano on Globo TV where he played with world class Brazilian musicians Chico Buarque, Rita Lee, Milton Nascimento, João Bosco, Elza Soares, and Mercedes Sosa.
The 1980s also cultivated a professional association and friendship with the late Brazilian singer Cazuza. In 1985 he was invited as a special guest to perform with his rock band Barão Vermelho to perform at Rock in Rio.
1990s in New York
Upon moving to New York in 1990, Oliveira began studying with esteemed American jazz saxophonists Joe Lovano (1991-1992) and Ted Nash (1992-1994) at NYU. In 2004, Oliveira received his Masters in Composition and Arranging from the Juilliard School.
Oliveira worked for a strong foothold on the New York music scene while working as the Musical Director for Brazilian American pop singer and daughter of João Gilberto, Bebel Gilberto. Zé's studio work with Bebel along with steady gigs at the Windows on the World lead to an extensive performing, recording and touring. His career also includes multiple Grammy Award nominations.
Throughout the 1990s, Oliveira continued to record and perform with hundreds of artists including Sabina Sciubba, Brazilian Girls, Ivy, Pull, and Verve. From 1992-1995 he was a member of Milo Z on Mercury, a PolyGram label, opening for Neville Brothers, Reverend Al Green, Maceo Parker, Chuck Brown and The Should Searchers (with the P Funk Horns), George Porter Jr. and The Funky Meters.
In 1993, Oliveira composed and performed for the Choreographer and Dancer Patricia Hoffbauer at Dance Theater Workshop, as part of a Meet the Composer grant. Oliveira then became a part of the New York Samba Band with Duduka da Fonseca, Romero Lubambo, Cyro Baptista and Nilson Matta.
2000s
Oliveira has played and recorded with Kurt Elling, Romero Lubambo, Duduka da Fonseca, Yusef Lateef, Paulo Braga, Mark Soskin, David Finck, Dom Um Romão, Dom Salvador, Mario Adnet, Maucha Adnet, Adam Rudolph, Kenny Burrell, Rolando Luna, Jorge Chicoy, Ike Stubblefield, George Porter Jr., Keith Carlock, Joel Rosemblatt, Kenny Wessel and Ralph Jones.