The project “A Jazzar”, by the Zé Eduardo Unit, was born from a comission by Cineclube de Faro, through its president Anabela Moutinho, after two shows held respectively in 1999 and 2001. The first one celebrated the 25th anniversary of the April revolution, and the trio was playing known tunes associated with that historical occasion. The second was an hommage to the history of Portuguese Cinema.
“A Jazzar no Cinema Português” was the first recording by the project and was heralded jazz record of the year by almost every jazz critic and publication. Also, the record was a comercial success with sales rising much beyond expectations.
From the musical and human background of Zé Eduardo, and following the famous 1999 concert, came up the idea of doing a tribute to one of the most important portuguese authors of all times – José Afonso – who was simultaneously one of the most important figures of the April revolution.
Songs like “Cantar Alentejano”, “Coro da Primavera”, “Traz outro amigo também”, “Grândola” and “O que faz falta é avisar a malta”, are included in “A Jazzar no Zeca” and are shown in a new form with original arrangements full of humor and magic.
Curiously, Zé Eduardo chose these themes based on the lyrics and not on the music, basically because of what they represent and because of the strength of the words, a field in what José Afonso was a master. Of course his music makes also sense without the poetry, but it was thanks to its union with the words that the whole became definitive in this historical crucial moment. |