Zéli, José Ricardo de Barros e Silva, graduated in composition with a focus on Higher Learning Methodologies from the college, Faculdade Santa Marcelina. He studied arranging with Roberto Sion and Claudio Leal Ferreira, and contrabass with Acelino Matias and John Clayton Jr.

Zéli has recorded two solo CDs: “Voando Baixo (Flying Low)” [Lua Discos, 2002] and “Em Movimento (In Movement)” [Maritaca, 2006].  Both CDs have received critical acclaim. In 2009, he is releasing the CD “Duo Zéli Silva and Vítor Alcântara”.

As a member of the group Integra, which plays Brazilian instrumental music, he has performed in national and international jazz venues and festivals (Cologne and Wittlich-Germany, Copenhagen-Denmark, New York and Rochester/USA). The group has five CDs: “Terra de Ninguém (Land of No One)” [1992], “Tudo Bem (Alright)” [1995], “Mestiço (Mixed)” [1998], “Atlântico (Atlantic)” [2003 – nominated for the Latin Grammy] and “Questão de Tempo (Question of Time)” [2005].

As a bassist, Zéli has performed with Badi Assad, Rosa Passos, Renato Motha, Leni Andrade, Fernanda Porto, Virginia Rosa, Cida Moreira, Chico Pinheiro, Ana Luiza and Luis Felipe Gama, Nuno Mindelis, Chico Saraiva, Renato Consorte, Carlinhos Antunes, João Parahyba, Renato Anesi, Adyel Santos, Taciana and Edgard Scandurra, Tutti Baê, Zé Luis Mazzioti, Dayse Cordeiro, Mona Gadelha, Fabio Torres, and Hector Costita, among others. Zéli has participated as a special guest in diverse projects with São Paulo’s Banda Sinfônica Jovem (Youth Symphonic Band) “Rei Arthur (King Arthur)” and “Paulistana”. He also performed with the opera, “Brasil 500 Anos (Brazil 500 Years)”, by Millôr Fernandes.

Zéli participated in the 1993 Jazz Workshop in Banff-Canada, playing also with Chucho Valdez, Don Tompson, Hugh Fraser, Kenny Weeler, Robin Eubanks and Pat la Barbera.

http://www.zelibass.com
http://www.myspace.com/zelisilva