Zé Canuto was born in Rio and at the age of 16 started studying music at Villa-Lobos School of Music and graduated in theory and ear training two years later. When he was 18 his father gave him his first saxophone, then he started taking lessons with Idriss Boudrioua. One year after that, he was replacing for Idriss in some gigs already. Gigs such as TV programs and with the famous composer and singer Marcos Valle. In 1986, Zé Canuto went to Rio School of Music and graduated in 1989 majoring in Harmony with Professor Sérgio Benevenuto. Meanwhile, he made his debut as a pro playing with Emílio Santiago. Since then he has played with many successful Brazilian singers like Roupa Nova, Gal Costa, Simone, Lenine, Edu Lobo, Francis Hime, Jorge Benjor, Cássia Eller, Pepeu Gomes, Moraes Moreira, Milton Nascimento, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Barão Vermelho, Altay Veloso, Nico Rezende, Marina Lima, Titãs, Miúcha, Leila Pinheiro, Rita Lee, Ed Motta, Michel Legrand and also with great instrumental musician like Quarteto Brasil (group in which he is one of the members with Cristovão Bastos, Jurim Moreira, Bororó), Aécio Flávio, Luiz Avellar, Eumir Deodato, Robertinho Silva, Ney Conceição, Arthur Maia, Torcuato Mariano, Paulo Braga, Dino Rangel, André Neiva, Ricardo Leão and so forth.

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Since the beginning of his career, his name is a must for any top quality recording and concerts. Both audience and music critics have always shown strong approval of his work - “...the brilliant sax player Zé Canuto...” (Folha de São Paulo, June 1992), “...the 90’s best new sax player...” (O Globo, April 1991), “...orchestral arrangement with great sax of Zé Canuto…”(O Globo, July 1997), “…this with a brilliant introduction of Zé Canuto…” (O Dia, August 1997), “...and he is a special orchestra”. (comment about participation in Gal Costa`s concert published in Jornal do Brasil, July 1997), “The Brazilian`s Jack Mclean” (O Globo, January 1999) Also, Zé Canuto records with the most important names of Brazilian Gospel music such as Grupo Rebanhão, Carlinhos Félix, Josué Rodrigues, Matos Nascimento, Ozéias de Paula, Aline Barros, Cristina Mel, Kléber Lucas as well as taking parts in workshops all over the country and teaching music to many young musicians. Zé Canuto is a guest musician for the band Roupa Nova, with which he has been touring since October 2015.