José Afonso
(Jose Afonso)
José Manuel Cerqueira Afonso dos Santos, professionally known as José Afonso or
Zeca Afonso, was a Portuguese singer-songwriter. Born August 2, 1929 in Aveiro,
Portugal, his career began while studying at the University of Coimbra. His
first recordings appeared in 1953, followed by the debut EP Fados de Coimbra
(1956). Afonso’s breakthrough came with the studio album Baladas e Canções
(1964), and the release Contos Velhos Rumos Novos (1969) earned him the Casa da
Imprensa award for best album. Under the Orfeu label, he produced Cantigas do
Maio (1971), Eu Vou Ser Como a Toupeira ...
