Zé Freire

Zé Freire was born José Wilson Freire in Areia, Paraíba, and grew up hearing the local forró, baião, and xote rhythms that would shape his music. He started writing songs as a teenager and joined the group Trio Nordestino in the mid-1970s before going solo a decade later with his debut album 'Encontro' in 1985.

His song 'De Xaile e Lenço' became one of his most recognized works, a ballad about heartbreak that other artists have covered. In the early 1990s, he faced plagiarism accusations over 'Apelido Carinhoso,' though those were later dismissed.

Freire has recorded more than twenty albums, including 'Luz do Sertão,' 'O Canto da Terra,' and 'Sinfonia do Sertão.' He's worked with musicians like Zé da Guitarra on guitar and Antônio Carlos on accordion.