Zero Telles
- Origin
- Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Years active
- 2025
- Genres
- samba, MPB, instrumental, bossa nova, latin music
- Instruments
- percussion, conga, timbal, atabaque, xequerê
Biography
José Roberto Brandão Telles, known professionally as Zero Telles or Zero Awá, was a highly respected Brazilian percussionist, musician, and cultural figure. Born on March 19, 1957, in Rio de Janeiro, Telles passed away on May 28, 2025, leaving a significant void in the Brazilian music scene. He was renowned for his mastery of various percussion instruments, including the conga and timbal, and was particularly noted for introducing the xequerê to samba schools, becoming associated with Vila Isabel and performing with many others.
Telles had a deep connection to Afro-Brazilian culture and spirituality, being initiated in Candomblé and serving as an Ifá priest. His musical journey began with playing the atabaque in the orchestra of the Bennett college. He went on to master Cuban rhythms and the intricacies of samba, honoring the legacy of Mestre Marçal, a significant influence on his career.
Throughout his career, Zero Telles collaborated with a vast array of prominent Brazilian artists, including Martinho da Vila, Wilson das Neves, Marçalzinho, Orquestra Criola, Nei Lopez, João Bosco, Francis Hime, Danilo Caymmi, Paulo Moura, and Ney Matogrosso. He was a founding member of the Orquestra Imperial and also performed with Monobloco. His work can be heard on albums such as Roberta Sá's "Quando o canto é reza – Canções de Roque Ferreira" (2010).
Beyond his performance career, Telles was also involved in contemporary projects, including an Afro-Tango for an American television production celebrating Piazzolla's centenary during the pandemic. He was an avid football fan, sharing this passion with friends, and was known for his political views against Bolsonaro. His musical knowledge spanned from ancestral rhythms to modern electronic dance music, showcasing his versatility and profound understanding of music.