Ezequiel Neves
- Origin
- Belo Horizonte, MG
- Genres
- brazilian rock, MPB, pop rock
- Instruments
- voice
Biography
José Ezequiel Moreira Neves was a multifaceted Brazilian figure who left an indelible mark on the country's rock and pop landscape as a journalist, producer, and songwriter. Originally a librarian in Belo Horizonte, he moved to the cultural hubs of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s, where he became one of Brazil's most acid and respected music critics, writing for iconic publications like the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone and Som Três. \n\nHis transition to music production began in 1975 with the hard rock band Made in Brazil. However, his career reached its zenith at the Som Livre label, where he became a key mentor and producer for Barão Vermelho and its charismatic frontman, Cazuza. Neves was more than just a producer; he was a creative catalyst and close confidant to Cazuza, co-writing generation-defining anthems such as 'Exagerado' and 'Codinome Beija-Flor'. \n\nThroughout his career, Ezequiel also worked with legendary vocalists like Elizeth Cardoso and Cauby Peixoto, showcasing his versatility across genres ranging from rock to samba and MPB. He remained a loyal friend to Cazuza until the singer's death in 1990, and Neves himself passed away in 2010, coincidentally on the 20th anniversary of Cazuza's death.