musicalat
Tom Zé
Brazil MPB 1970s

Tom Zé

Tom Zé is a Brazilian singer-songwriter and composer who was a key figure in the 1960s Tropicália movement. After years of obscurity, he was rediscovered and celebrated worldwide.

Origins

Born in Irará, Bahia, Tom Zé became influential in the Tropicália movement of 1960s Brazil before fading into relative obscurity.

The sound

His music is experimental MPB, restless and inventive, treating songcraft as a place for playful, avant-garde experimentation.

Legacy

In the 1990s, David Byrne discovered his 1975 album Estudando o Samba and reissued his work, bringing Tom Zé back to performing and earning him international acclaim.

Top songs

🎶 Pick a song to start the party