With velvet-soft vocals, sweeping horns, and a seductive rhythm section, Brazilian artist Zé Ibarra explores sonic landscapes that unite bossa nova and samba with jazz and pop. Following an unforgettable Roskilde Festival performance with his group Bala Desejo, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist now returns to Denmark with his solo project, filling ALICE’s concert hall with extraordinarily soothing sounds.

Zé Ibarra is one of the most prominent figures in the new wave of Brazilian artists. Alongside names such as Bruno Berle and Nyron Higor, and as co-founder of the award-winning group Bala Desejo, he pushes the boundaries of Música Popular Brasileira—the legacy of 1960s Brazil, where traditional genres like samba and bossa nova met pop, jazz, and rock. Ibarra’s sound is groovy and nostalgic, saturated with warm horns, acoustic guitar, and a vibrant rhythm section. His vocals are sensual and elegant, carrying affectionate echoes of João Gilberto, and live he possesses a rare ability to captivate audiences completely.

With roots in the band Dônica and as a member of the Grammy-winning Bala Desejo—who enchanted audiences at Roskilde in 2023—Zé Ibarra has also performed alongside icons such as Milton Nascimento. As a solo artist, he has continued to surpass expectations from both audiences and critics. On his latest release, AFIM (Coala Records), Ibarra moves from an intimate, acoustic guitar-based expression toward a darker and more visually striking sound, where each note unfolds like a living painting. Experience it for yourself when he takes the stage at ALICE with his band this May.