Zé Eduardo Nazário

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Genres

jazz, mpb, instrumental music, free jazz

Instruments

drums, percussion, tabla

Biography

José Eduardo Pinto Nazário, known artistically as Zé Eduardo Nazário, is a renowned Brazilian drummer and percussionist born in São Paulo on September 25, 1952. Celebrated as one of the definitive figures in Brazilian drumming technique, he earned the prestigious title of "the teacher of teachers" from specialized publications and peers alike. Alongside contemporaries such as Airto Moreira, Edison Machado, and Dom Um Romão, Nazário helped shape the modern language of Brazilian percussion, while also pioneering the introduction and teaching of the tabla in the country.

Throughout his prolific career, Nazário has collaborated with numerous legendary Brazilian musicians and composers. In the 1970s, he joined Hermeto Pascoal's ensemble and participated in landmark recordings, including Milton Nascimento's iconic Clube da Esquina 2 and Egberto Gismonti's Nó Caipira. He was also a founding member of the influential instrumental group Grupo Um alongside his brother Lelo Nazário and bassist Rodolfo Stroeter, deeply exploring free jazz and avant-garde sounds.

In addition to his contributions to jazz and MPB, Nazário's innovative spirit led him to design rhythmic structures for Jequibau early in his career and later collaborate with international artists like John McLaughlin and John Stein. His deep dedication to cross-cultural rhythms earned him a special honor from the Indian government for spreading Indian classical music in Brazil. Today, he remains an esteemed educator and performer, continually expanding the boundaries of Brazilian percussion.