Zélia Duncan

Origin

Niterói, RJ

Also known as

Zélia Cristina Duncan Gonçalves Moreira, Zélia Cristina, Cristina Moreira

Years Active

1981

Genres

MPB, pop rock, samba, folk

Instruments

voice, acoustic guitar, percussion

Biography

Zélia Duncan was born in Niterói, but moved to Brasília during her childhood, where she began her musical journey at the age of 16 by winning a contest at Sala Funarte. At the beginning of her career, she performed as Zélia Cristina and even opened shows for Luiz Melodia, in addition to working as a radio announcer and backing vocalist for artists such as Bebeto. Her recording debut took place in 1990 with the album 'Outra Luz', but it was in 1994, having adopted the Duncan surname, that she achieved national stardom with the hit 'Catedral', a version of a Tanita Tikaram song that was part of Rede Globo telenovela soundtracks.

The artist established herself as one of the lowest and most striking voices in MPB and Brazilian pop rock, establishing fundamental partnerships with names like Christiaan Oyens and Itamar Assumpção. Her versatility allowed her to move between different genres, from the acoustic folk of her early albums to more daring experimentations. In 2006, she accepted the challenge of joining the touring lineup of Os Mutantes, taking over the position previously held by Rita Lee, with whom she maintained a relationship of deep respect and friendship, even co-writing the success 'Pagu'.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Zélia Duncan expanded her repertoire to samba and musical theater. She collaborated intensively with singer Simone on the project 'Amigo é Casa' and dedicated entire albums to the work of composers such as Luiz Tatit and Itamar Assumpção himself. Recognized with several trophies at the Brazilian Music Award and Latin Grammy nominations, Zélia maintains a prolific career that unites the technical rigor of popular song with a theatrical stage presence, collaborating with contemporary artists such as Mart'nália and Zeca Baleiro.

Discography

• Outra Luz (1990)
• Zélia Duncan (1994)
• Intimidade (1996)
• Acesso (1998)
• Sortimento (2001)
• Sortimento Vivo (2002)
• Eu Me Transformo em Outras (2004)
• Pré-Pós-Tudo-Bossa-Band (2005)
• Simone (3), Zélia Duncan – Amigo É Casa - Ao Vivo (2007)
• Pelo Sabor do Gesto em Cena [Ao Vivo] (2008)
• Pelo Sabor do Gesto (2009)
• Pelo Sabor do Gesto em Cena (2011)
• Zélia Duncan Canta Itamar Assumpção - Tudo Esclarecido (2012)
• Ensaio (2012)
• Antes Do Mundo Acabar (2015)
• Invento + (Zélia Duncan e Jaques Morelenbaum Interpretam Milton Nascimento) (2017)
• Tudo É Um (2019)
• Eu Sou Mulher, Eu Sou Feliz (2019)
• Pelespírito (2021)
• Minha Voz Fica (Zelia Duncan e Pedro Franco Tocam Alzira E) (2021)
• Pré-Pós-Tudo-Bossa-Band (O Show) (2024)
• Agudo Grave (2026)