Being born in-between the little lanes of Fontainhas soundslike the ideal beginning for any musician. The little streets with their seriesof web-like lanes are rich with historical references. Right from thehistorically famous ‘Zhar' at Mala at the foot of the Marutigad to the famouschapel of St Sebastian built in the year 1818. Yet those are stories foranother time. The story in focus is that of the life and travails of Zezinho, amusician from those same lanes filled with intrigue.
Having started at the age of 20, which is considered alittle late in life as compared to most young musicians, Zezinho wasted no timein catching up, and has been to 17 countries to showcase his talent. “I was apart of the troupe designated by the Taj in association with the TourismDepartment, to a series of destinations. Furthermore, I have also performedacross the entire African continent as a part of an ICCI troupe.” However,Zezinho’s greatest performances have been in Goa itself. “I performed for thePope in the year 1986 when he was in Goa on a papal visit. It is possibly oneof my favourite performances, barring the time I managed to play for MargaretThatcher and Indira Gandhi on board a yacht. It was a part of the 1983 CHOGM Retreat,and her security guards were petrified that she would fall overboard, as shesat on the railing to hear me perform. I found it quite flattering that shedeserted the dignitaries present to watch me play,” he reminisces fondly.
But Zezinho believes that his greatest achievement to datelies beyond even merely that performance, the musician affably replies, “I havegotten to see the world through music. What more could I want?” But he has noplans and intentions of stopping there. Having recently recorded and publicizedan album of cover titles that is available worldwide for download, Zezinho’scurrent project involves his development on an album that remains true to hisLatin style of musical arrangement, with solely Portuguese lyrics. “I am notconfident in my abilities to pull it off without the aid of someone moreproficient in the language than I am. However I do believe that this will bringsomething new to the music industry in Goa,” he tails off humbly.
