About Zé Cavaco
Zé Cavaco is a Portuguese-born film composer and pianist whose music bridges classical tradition and jazz sophistication, applied to a cinematic context. Born in Lisbon in 2002, Zé began his musical journey at just five years old, studying classical piano with the discipline and curiosity that would become central to his artistic identity.
By the age of 13, he had already begun exploring the language of jazz, playing in a Big Band. This early duality between classical structure and jazz spontaneity would go on to define his work both as a performer and a composer.
Zé pursued formal studies in Jazz Piano Performance at the Superior School of Music of Lisbon (Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa), immersing himself in Portugal’s vibrant jazz scene. His talent quickly gained recognition, leading to performances at prestigious festivals including the Festival de Jazz Bernardo Sassetti in Lisbon and Umbria Jazz Winter Festival in Italy.
At 20 years old, Zé received a full scholarship to attend the world-renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he currently resides. Now in his senior year, he is majoring in Film and Media Scoring. He is also pursuing a minor in Recording and Production for Musicians, to improve his technological ability and be able to better communicate with all the people that come together to create a score.
Zé is an extremely imaginative film composer, with a deep understanding of how music can shape emotion, tension, and narrative. He aims to write music that draws inspiration from composers like Alan Silvestri, Alexandre Desplat and Thomas Newman, for whom simplicity and clever orchestration are key.
As a live performer, Zé brings the same sensitivity and skill to the stage as he does to the screen. His performance history spans countless venues, particularly in Europe, where he has been a sought-after pianist in both solo and ensemble settings. Known for his touch, timing, and improvisational fluency, Zé continues to perform regularly while balancing his academic and scoring work.
He was also trained through the CRLA (College Reading & Learning Association) program, and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with students and peers alike. His experience as a tutor further speaks to his clarity, patience, and collaborative mindset—qualities that also make him a trusted creative partner in scoring projects.
When he’s not composing, conducting, or performing, Zé enjoys slowing down: he loves playing with his little brother, reading in a park, and watching as many movies as he possibly can and reviewing them on Letterboxd.
Zé Cavaco is a storyteller, a collaborator, and a dedicated craftsman. With roots in classical piano, a heart in jazz, and a storyteller's mindset, his compositions speak with honesty, emotion, and bold imagination.
