José Mário Branco
Biography
The son of primary school teachers, José Mário Monteiro Guedes Branco was born on May 25, 1942, in Porto. Music education was always present in his life, studying at the Parnaso school. In 1958, he became involved in Humberto Delgado’s campaign. He joined the Catholic Student Youth (JEC) and the Catholic University Youth (JUC). In 1961, he joined the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and participated in academic struggles in Lisbon and Coimbra, where he studied and led a communist cell in high schools. He was arrested in April 1962 and imprisoned in Aljube and Caxias. He was released in September.
Determined not to go to the colonial war, he deserted, against the wishes of the PCP, in 1963 and went into exile in France. He joined the Portuguese Marxist-Leninist Committee (CMLP)/Popular Action Front (FAP) and lived through May 1968. He resumed his musical activity, performing at emigrant gatherings and cultural events, became involved in theatrical and cultural activities, and met Sérgio Godinho and José Afonso (whose album Cantigas do Maio he produced). In 1969, he recorded his first album, Seis cantigas de amigo. In 1972, he was awarded the Casa da Imprensa Light Music Awards.
He returned to Portugal after the 25 April revolution and was one of the founders of the Coletivo de Ação Cultural (CAC), later renamed Grupo de Ação Cultural (GAC) “Vozes na Luta” (Voices in the Struggle), linked to the União Democrática Popular (UDP). He worked with the Comuna theater group, recording the album A Mãe, and at the Teatro do Mundo. In 1980, he released the album Ser Solidário, where he pontificated on the IMF. He was involved in the founding of the Left Bloc in 1999. He maintained an exceptional artistic career and constant civic engagement until his death on November 19, 2019.
Date of Collection: 16.05.2019
Keywords: Aljube Prison, PIDE, Interrogation, Comunist Party, Class Difference, Torture, Students, Exile, Colonial War, May 1968.
