Musician José Ribeiro, one of the founders of Trio Odemira in 1958, died on Thursday at the age of 97 at the Nossa Senhora da Arrábida hospital in Brejos de Aceitão, Setúbal district, a source from Casa do Artista told Lusa.
The musician was staying at the Casa do Artista and was referred from the Santa Maria hospital in Lisbon to a medical facility in Brejos de Azeitao, the same source said.
In addition to singing, José Ribeiro played the cavaquinho and founded Trio Odemira with his brothers Júlio and Carlos Costa, who died in March 2021.
The career of the Odemira trio spans over 60 years. He graduated in 1958 and starred in hits such as “Ana Maria” and “Anel de Noivado”, being the first to record popular songs from Alentejo, with the exception of choral groups, according to the “Enciclopédia da Música em Portugal no Século XX”, which cites the 1958 single “Rio Mira” as an example.
This encyclopedia states that the trio’s repertoire includes several Spanish and South American songs, some of which are recorded in Portuguese, traditional Beira Baixa and Alentejo themes, and versions of songs recorded by Toni de Matos (1924-1989), Amália Rodrigues (1920-1999) and Max (1918-1980).
In 2019, the trio celebrated their 60th anniversary with a performance at the Centro de Artes e Espetáculos in Figueira da Foz. In September 2016, they were awarded the City of Moura Award for Merit and Excellence in Music.
In 2005, the trio released the album “Portugal Latino”, in which they interpret Portuguese and Latin American themes in the spirit that has always distinguished the group.
In the album, published by Ovação, the trio recovers some songs that became hits, such as “As minha minha shan nas tus”, “Ala vara del camino”, “Alma, Coração e Vida” or “Anel de Engagement”.
The wake for José Ribeiro will be held this Friday at the Pinhal de Frades Church in Fernão Ferro, in Seixal, Setúbal district, and the burial will take place on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Arrentela Cemetery, also in Seixal.