Zeca Bahia

Origin

Bom Jesus da Lapa, BA

Also known as

José Ramos Santos

Years Active

1964–2017

Genres

MPB, samba

Instruments

acoustic guitar, vocals

Biography

Zeca Bahia, artistic name of José Ramos Santos, was born in Bom Jesus da Lapa on March 19, 1950. The singer-songwriter began his musical journey in childhood, learning his first guitar chords at age ten and composing his first work at fourteen. In his youth, he joined the group Os Terríveis in his hometown before moving to Belo Horizonte, Brasília, and later São Paulo, where he balanced his musical career with work as a proofreader for major media outlets and publishing houses.

Throughout his career, he stood out for remarkable partnerships and highly impactful compositions in Brazilian music. Alongside Clodo Ferreira and Ginko, he created unforgettable hits such as "Ave Coração" — recorded by Fagner with a Spanish version by Ferreira Gullar — and the iconic "Porto Solidão", performed by Jessé and winner of the Festival Shell de MPB in 1980. His repertoire totaled hundreds of recorded songs, immortalized in the voices of several prominent MPB performers.

Returning to his hometown in the 1990s, he remained connected to culture and public life until his final years. Zeca Bahia passed away on February 6, 2018, in Brumado, a victim of multiple organ failure resulting from acute kidney failure. He left a lasting legacy in Brazilian popular music, marked by works re-recorded and adapted in dozens of countries.

Discography

• Estrada das Canções (1988)
• O Outro Lado da Moeda (2011)
• Na Cozinha do Zeca (2018)