Pedro Bento & Zé da Estrada

Origin

Porto Feliz, SP

Years Active

1954–2017

Genres

música sertaneja, moda de viola, rancheira

Instruments

viola caipira, violão, trompete

Biography

Pedro Bento & Zé da Estrada was an iconic sertanejo duo formed in 1954 by Joel Antunes Leme (Pedro Bento) and Waldomiro de Oliveira (Zé da Estrada). Born in Porto Feliz and Botucatu, respectively, in the interior of São Paulo, the duo stood out for innovating by incorporating elements of Mexican music, such as trumpets and mariachi attire, into traditional Brazilian modas de viola. This fusion, which earned them the title of "the lovers of the ranchera," began to be explored starting in 1963 and became a registered trademark, winning over a loyal audience.

From the beginning of their careers, Pedro Bento and Zé da Estrada demonstrated great talent and versatility. Before forming the duo, both already had musical experience: Pedro Bento was known as a child prodigy and Zé da Estrada came from a family of singers and was a truck driver, which inspired his stage name. Together, they recorded over two thousand songs, including 16 78-rpm records, 122 LPs, and 24 CDs, charting hits such as "Seresteiro da Lua" and "Mágoa de Boiadeiro."

The legacy of Pedro Bento & Zé da Estrada goes beyond their recordings and striking performances. They paved the way for experimentation within sertanejo music, proving that tradition could dialogue with other cultures and rhythms. Their influence can be seen in later generations of artists who sought new sounds without losing their roots. The duo disbanded with the passing of Zé da Estrada in 2017, followed by Pedro Bento in 2019, but their work continues to be celebrated and revered as a milestone in the history of Brazilian sertanejo music.

Discography

• Viola e Violão (1971)
• Pedro Bento & Zé da Estrada (1974)
• Tangos e Boleros (1976)
• Pedro Bento & Zé da Estrada e Celinho (1977)
• Trilha Sonora do Filme os Três Boiadeiros (1979)
• Luar do Sertão (1997)
• Moda de Viola (1998)
• Duplas Famosas (2001)
• Do Jeito que o Povo Gosta (2002)
• Amigos (2005)
• Sete Palavras (2007)
• Criação do Mundo (2010)
• Brazilian Roots: Música Regional, Vol. 1 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Música Regional, Vol. 3 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Música Regional, Vol. 4 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Música Regional, Vol. 5 (2013)
• Brazilian Roots: Música Regional, Vol. 6 (2013)
• Foi Assim que Tudo Começou, a Viola e o Cantador (2016)
• Sempre Românticos (2017)
• Encontros Sertanejos, Vol. 7 (2017)
• Milagre da Flecha (2017)
• Pedro Bento e Zé da Estrada, Vol. 3 (2017)
• 4 de Ouro (2017)
• Galopeira (2017)
• Casa Vazia (2019)