What better way to introduce Zeca Afonso to new generations than by encouraging them to get to know and interpret his repertoire, so that they can make it their own and reinvent it? This is the challenge of the project “Por Terras do Zeca” – In Zeca’s Lands – that I had the opportunity to follow for a few days.

Here are some rehearsals and performances from the 2019 tour, in Aveiro, at the headquarters of the Filarmónica Vaguense, and at the Cine-Teatro Aveirense and Teatro Capitólio in Lisbon. “Índios da Meia Praia” and “Verdade e Mentira” are Zeca Afonso’s songs, here interpreted by musicians and performers from different generations.

With musical direction and guitars by Davide Zaccaria, Por Terras do Zeca features Armindo Neves on electric guitar, Luís Pinto on bass, João Caldeira on keyboards, Paolo Massamatici on oboe, and Ivo Martins on drums. Vocals are provided by Maria Anadon, João Afonso, and Filipa Pais, with special participation by Ana Laíns and Zeca Medeiros. The Filarmónica Vaguense is conducted by Maestro Leonel Ruivo. The sound was created by Quico Serrano, who also contributed to this video. The production was by José Moças and Tradisom, who invited me to collaborate on this project.

May there be five more!