José Laço

Fogo, (1960s)

Singer, songwriter

Living in the United States since the 1980s, José Laço founded Banda Estrela (in Boston) in 1992, along with other members of Fogo — Nhonha, Manuel, Quintino, and Tony. With this group, he recorded the album Comprimentos de um destino in 1994. He later created Band a Band, which remains active, although, according to the musician in a statement to Cabo Verde & a Música – Museu Virtual, “with great sacrifice.”

As a solo artist, he recorded a series of albums, beginning with Stilo di nha maneira, released in 1996, on which he signs, plays almost all the instruments, produces, and arranges the music.

Later, he released Take it easy under the name José Laço & Brothers. The repertoire is dominated by funaná and koladera, with particular fondness for Bulimundo, whom he pays tribute to in a video.

He founded his on company, JL Music Productions. Several singles can be found on YouTube, but his discography is difficult to trace due to the limited information available.

Discography

• Stilo di nha manera, CD, JL Music Productions, 1996.
• Stilo di nhos manera, CD, JL Music Productions, 1998.
• Raízes de Cabo Verde, CD, JL Music Productions, 1999.
• Dam bu amor, CD, JL Music Productions, 2010.
• Take it easy, CD, JL Music Productions, 2011. José Laço & Brothers.
• Lembrança de Katchás, CD, JL Music Productions, 2012.  
• Sentimentos de Katchás, CD, JL Music Productions, 2013.
• Nha talento, CD, JL Music Productions, 2014.
• Grito de nha Alma, 2014, 2016.
• Nha alegria, 2014, 2017.
• Fidjo cabo-verdiano, CD, JL Music Productions, 2018.

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