Zé Trindade

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Milton da Silva Bittencourt

Years active

1935–1987

Genres

northeastern music, comedy

Instruments

voice

Biography

Zé Trindade, stage name of Milton da Silva Bittencourt, was born in Salvador on April 18, 1915, and built a remarkable career as an actor, musician, poet, and comedian. Born into a traditional Bahian family that faced hardships after his father was disinherited, he spent part of his childhood working in a hotel in the Bahian capital, where he rubbed shoulders with illustrious figures such as Jorge Amado and Dorival Caymmi, charming the guests with his jokes and poetry.

His artistic trajectory began to take off in the 1930s when he joined Rádio Sociedade da Bahia and later moved to Rio de Janeiro to join the cast of Rádio Mayrink Veiga. He became widely known for his irreverent humor and unmistakable catchphrases, in addition to recording dozens of northeastern music albums, filled with humorous verses and thoughts. In cinema, he participated in dozens of productions over the decades, leaving his mark on the Brazilian cultural scene until his passing on May 1, 1990.