Zeca Baleiro

Origin

Arari, MA

Also known as

José Ribamar Coelho Santos, Zeca Baleiro

Years Active

1985

Genres

MPB, samba, baião, rock, pop, electronic

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Born José Ribamar Coelho Santos in Arari, Maranhão, Zeca Baleiro is a highly influential singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist within the MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) scene. His stage name, "Baleiro" (candy seller), originated during his university days in agronomy due to his habit of constantly eating and sharing sweets. Before committing full-time to music, he even managed a candy and homemade pastry shop. After moving to São Paulo, he shared an apartment with fellow musician Chico César, forming a long-lasting creative partnership.

Baleiro's rise to national fame occurred in 1997 following a standout performance of the song "Flor da Pele" alongside the legendary Gal Costa on her MTV Acústico special. His musical style is characterized by a versatile blend of traditional Brazilian rhythms such as samba, pagode, and baião, mixed with contemporary elements of rock, pop, and electronic music. Throughout his career, his compositions have been recorded by prominent artists including Simone, Elba Ramalho, and Vanessa da Mata.

In addition to his adult-oriented discography—which includes the acclaimed double-volume project "O Coração do Homem Bomba"—Baleiro has dedicated significant effort to children's music and literature. He has published books of chronicles and created successful award-winning children's albums like "Zoró" and "Zureta". His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found the legal Saravá Discos, through which he has produced work for artists like Odair José. Relevant collaborations in his career include projects with Raimundo Fagner, Naná Vasconcelos, and Zé Ramalho.

Discography

• Por Onde Andará Stephen Fry? (1997)
• Vô Imbolá (1999)
• Líricas (2000)
• Pet Shop Mundo Cão (2002)
• Raimundo Fagner & Zeca Baleiro – Fagner & Zeca Baleiro (2003)
• Baladas Do Asfalto & Outros Blues (2005)
• Baladas do Asfalto & Outros Blues (Ao Vivo) (2006)
• O Coração do Homem-Bomba - Vol.1 (2008)
• O Coração do Homem-Bomba - Vol.2 (2008)
• VIP Collection (2008)
• Geraldas e Avencas (2008)
• Cubo (Trilha Sonora) (2008)
• O Coração do Homem Bomba - Ao Vivo (Ao Vivo Mesmo) (2009)
• Duetos (2009)
• Concerto (2010)
• Quem Tem Medo de Curupira? (Trilha Sonora) (2011)
• O Disco Do Ano (2012)
• Lado Z Vol. 01 (2012)
• Lado Z Vol. 02 (2012)
• Calma Aí, Coração - Ao Vivo (2014)
• Zoró [Bichos Esquisitos] Vol. 01 (2014)
• Zoró (Bichos Esquisitos), Vol. 1 (2014)
• Música para Cinema e Dança (Trilha Sonora) (2014)
• Canta Zé Ramalho: Chão de Giz (2015)
• Zeca Baleiro, Naná Vasconcelos, Paulo Lepetit – Café no Bule (2015)
• Era Domingo (2016)
• Zureta Vol 2 (2018)
• O Amor No Caos Volume 1 (2019)
• O Amor No Caos - Volume 2 (2019)
• Canções D' Além Mar (2020)
• Pet Shop Mundo Cão - a Ópera Infame (Ao Vivo) (2020)
• Líricas - Ao Vivo (2020)
• Vô Imbolá - Ao Vivo (2020)
• Raimundo Fagner e Zeca Baleiro ao Vivo em Brasília (2002) (2020)
• Oração do Amor Selvagem (Trilha Sonora Original) (2021)
• Naus (2022)
• Mambo Só (2023)
• Chico César, Zeca Baleiro – Ao Arrepio da Lei (2024)
• Wado + Zeca Baleiro – Coração Sangrento (2024)
• O Samba Não É de Ninguém (2024)
• Zoró + Zureta (2025)
• Piano (2025)
• Sembal (2026)
• O Ninho - Um Recado da Raiz (Trilha Sonora) (2026)