Zé Rodrix

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Zé Rodrigues, José Rodrigues Trindade

Years active

1967–2009

Genres

mpb, rural rock, folk, pop

Instruments

piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, accordion, flute, drums, saxophone, trumpet

Biography

José Rodrigues Trindade, known artistically as Zé Rodrix, was born in Rio de Janeiro and built a remarkable career as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, advertising executive, and writer. He began his artistic career in his youth as a member of the vocal group Momento Quatro, with which he participated in important song festivals alongside names such as Edu Lobo and Marília Medalha. In the early 1970s, he was part of the original lineup of the band Som Imaginário, a group created to accompany Milton Nascimento, before pursuing new directions in Brazilian popular music.

In 1971, in partnership with Tavito, he composed the famous song "Casa no Campo", which was consecrated in the voice of Elis Regina and helped coin the style known as rural rock. Soon after, he joined forces with Luiz Carlos Sá and Guttemberg Guarabyra to form the trio Sá, Rodrix e Guarabyra, fusing folk, country, tropicália, and regionalist influences into lasting hits. In addition to his work with the famous trio and his consistent solo career, Zé Rodrix collaborated with several prominent artists, having participated in the iconic debut album of the group Secos & Molhados, a project that launched Ney Matogrosso.

Throughout decades of activity, Zé Rodrix also stood out in advertising, composed soundtracks for cinema, and joined the group Joelho de Porco in the 1980s. In the 2000s, he resumed activities with Sá, Rodrix e Guarabyra, returning to the stage at Rock in Rio and recording new works before his passing in São Paulo in 2009. His multifaceted body of work remains one of the pillars of the modernization of folk and pop music in Brazil.