Zeca Pagodinho Celebrates 40 Years of Samba with Festive Concerts in Lisbon and Porto

Zeca Pagodinho, one of Brazil's biggest samba stars, is returning to Portugal to celebrate his 40-year career with special concerts. The 68-year-old musician will perform on Thursday, November 6, at Campo Pequeno in Lisbon, and on Saturday, November 8, at SuperBock Arena in Porto.

A Milestone Celebration

"These shows are my story in music. Forty years is a huge victory," says Zeca Pagodinho (real name Jessé Gomes da Silva Filho), who is no stranger to Portugal. "I really like Portugal, and at least once a year I have to travel to your country. So, when I come for work, I take the opportunity to stay with family and explore. I have many friends, and every time I arrive, it's a party."

Love for Portuguese Culture

The artist is a fan of Portuguese cuisine, particularly remembering Bairrada suckling pig from his first visit in the early 2000s. Passionate about fado, he holds a special appreciation for singers like Carminho and Cuca Roseta, with whom he recently recorded the song 'Arranha Céu', which he describes as "turned out really nice".

Humble Beginnings and Career Insights

Born in Rio de Janeiro on February 4, 1959, Zeca Pagodinho worked as an office boy and messenger before starting his music career in the early 1980s at samba gatherings in the city's suburbs. "I remember the beginning was very intense; I did many shows, one per night, but I was very young then. I was a crazy young man, only I know, I was in a different place every hour, from the northeast to the south in no time." Despite this, he never dreamed of a career. "I never dreamed of any career; all I really wanted was to be happy. That's still my biggest wish today."

Achievements and Modesty

With nearly 40 recordings, four Grammy Awards, 12 million copies sold, and recognition as one of the most prodigious talents in samba, Zeca Pagodinho prefers to credit other artists. "There are people much better than me. I've seen many who didn't have my success but are still great references for me, like Wilson Moreira, Nelson Sargento, Almir Guineto, or Arlindo Cruz."