Jose Afonso

José

Manuel Cerqueira

Afonso dos Santos

was born on

2nd August 1929, in Aveiro.

He spent most of his childhood in Angola and

Mozambique (where his father had begun his career as a

magistrate) except for the first four years, spent in

his hometown, with his mother's family.

He attended the High School and the University in

Coimbra having taken a degree on Historical and

Philosophical Sciences.

In 1949 He began singing serenades and in more or less

bohemian or academic parties since his 6th form in

High School . From then on, he didn't stop touring the

countryside, singing and joining the people.

He was also a teacher, first in private and then in

state schools in many places like Mangualde,

Aljustrel, Lagos, Faro, Alcobaça and Faro.

From the Fado of Coimbra, he moved towards the ballad

to the protest song surpassing, however, theme and

music frontiers but without neglecting as a creative

singer-composer, his political committed involvement

and interest with the exploited and oppressed.

From 1964 to 1967 he was a teacher in Mozambique,

Maputo and in Beira and in 1968 returning to Portugal

he settled down with his family in Setúbal. There he

taught till he was expelled from state schools for

political reasons. As an alternative he teaches

private lessons and music composition, which will

circumscribe his professional activity. He was also

the founder amongst others the Setúbal Cultural

Centre.

In 1969 in Paris he participates in the gathering of

La Chanson de Combat Portuguaise in Mutualité.

Before the he continued singing using the pedagogy

behind authorship as an activity of political

agitation, rational consciousness in cultural and

recreational centres, student’s unions, popular

organizations and amongst the immigrants in colonies

abroad.

In 1973 he was arrested and incarcerated for a while

in the political prison in Caxias after a period of

persecutions and detentions by PIDE.

After the Carnation Revolution – 25th April 74 - he

spent his time supporting popular organizations by

singing at rallies for resident’s associations,

workers, councils, agricultural cooperatives, etc.

In several tours over Europe he tried to raise funds

for co-operatives and other centres.

His last concerts were in 1983 in Coliseu de Lisboa,

Porto, Beja and Caldas da Rainha.

He recorded 17 LPs altogether and several Singles.

In 1983 his compilation of texts and songs , most of

them set to music, was published.

On the 2nd February of 1987 he dies in Setúbal at the

age of 57 years.