Composer and performer, José Brandão was born in Oliveira de Azeméis (Aveiro, Portugal) in 2000. He is currently studying composition at KASK & Conservatorium of Gent with Jesse Broekman. He did his bachelor in ESMAE under Rui Penha, Dimitris Andrikopoulos, Carlos Azevedo.

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He is particularly interested in music as a ritualistic act. He wants to explore aspects of rituals in his own music and broaden the concert situation, incorporating more performative elements. He is also quite interested in internet meme culture and the ways he can relate it to his own music and to rituals.

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He won first prize in  the 2020 Sayat Nova International Composition Competition, with his piece “Weep, Weep My muse” and in the FOLEFEST - 2020 composition competition with his piece “Uma Última Reflexão”. Won second prize in SPA/Antena 2 composition competition, with his piece “Ritual”. And was a finalist in Banda Sinfónica Portuguesa (BSP) - 2020 composition competition with his piece "Eclipse da Auto-Degradação".

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His work was performed in Carnegie Hall, Greenwich House Music School, Casa da Música, Concertgebouw Bruges, Miry Concertzaal and many others. He is going to participate in the Lucerne Festival Composition Workshop, mentored by Unsuk Chin, where his piece “Rupture” is going to be performed.