Zito Barbosa

Origin

Santa Maria do Cambucá, PE

Genres

forró, sertanejo, aboio

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Zito Barbosa, born José Barbosa de Souza, was a renowned Brazilian composer, singer, musical producer, and iconic vaquejada narrator. Born in Santa Maria do Cambucá in 1953, he rose to prominence in 1979 within the vaquejada culture, establishing himself through his powerful voice and creative storytelling. His contributions to the genre extended into literature with his book Versos e Prosas, Vaqueiros e Vaquejadas, cementing his status as a pillar of regional folk culture.

Throughout his career, his compositions were recorded by prominent artists such as Alcymar Monteiro, Cláudio Rios, Galego Aboiador, and the duo Sirano e Sirino. He also served as the official presenter of the famous Missa do Vaqueiro in Serrita for over two decades, sharing stages and events with legendary figures like Luiz Gonzaga, Quinteto Violado, and Pedro Bandeira. His broad influence reached national television when he was interviewed by Jô Soares in 1998 on the talk show Jô Soares Onze e Meia.

In addition to his performance and writing work, Zito Barbosa made a significant impact as a musical producer, helping shape numerous records for forró singers and aboiadores. He collaborated on notable musical works such as Brasil Pátria Amada, Três dias de Vaquejada, and Martírio de Fazendeiro. He passed away on May 1, 2013, leaving a lasting legacy in Brazilian traditional sertanejo and forró culture.