José Gomes de Abreu (nickname "Zequinha"), popular piano player and
composer, was born in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, a small town in the
Sao Paulo State, in September 19 of 1880. He started his piano studies
at age of 6. José de Abreu was owner of a drugstore, mayor of Santa
Rita do Passa Quatro, piano teacher. Also he played in the theatre, on
silent movies. He is author of numerous waltz and "choros": "Sururú na
Cidade", "Branca", "Tardes em Lindóia", etc. But his most famous work
is "Tico-Tico no Fubá", played by the American organist Ethel Smith and
sang by Carmen Miranda in Copacabana (1947). Zequinha de Abreu died in São Paulo,
SP, on January 22, 1935.
