José Valente is an award-winning composer and violist. He has a PhD in Contemporary Art with distinction and unanimity by the University of Coimbra. Concert highlights: Carnegie Hall (guest soloist by Paquito d’Rivera); Union Square Park (solo concert); Imaxinasons Festival (Spain); Maria Matos Theater, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; Bookaroo Festival (India), Rauf R. Denktas Cultur and Congress Center in Famagusta (Cyprus); Casa da Música (Porto), Manchester School of Theater (UK), Suono Mobile Festival (Italy), Centro Cultural de Belém, Teatro Garcia de Resende, Tremor Festival. He worked, among others, with Don Byron and Dave Douglas. He composed “Passaporte” for viola solo, a commission by Antena 2 / RTP for the 32nd Edition of the Prémio Jovens Músicos Award. His album “Serpente Infinita”, recorded by invitation of Musibéria, received 5/5 stars by jazz.pt magazine, was included in the list of albums of the year in several lists from critics. "Serpente Infinita" was awarded with the Prémio Carlos Paredes 2019 Award. He is the co-creator of the children's show “Os Figos são para quem passa” commissioned by Teatro São Luiz. He composed "Trabalho, Palavra, Som e Preguiça" in collaboration with Gonçalo M. Tavares and Paulo Mendes, a commission from MAAT – Museum for Art, Architecture and Technology. In 2021 José has premiered “Trégua”, the first ever album for viola and marching band. “Trégua” won the GDA’s funding for phonographic edition and the DGArtes funding for new creations and was an Antena 2 album. His album Águas paradas não movem moinhos, for his viola sextet 6 Violas, is an homage to José Mário Branco, and was on the road since its release in 2022. 6 Violas did the last tour in 2025, with the support from DGArtes. José Valente was the musical director and composer of SIBILA BILINGUE, a project curated by the Museum of Porto, that established dialogues with the emigrant communities living in the city, for the creation new poetic musical works. The first edition of Sibila Bilingue was awarded with the ICOM and the APOM 2024 awards for social and museological excellency. His latest and 5th album QUEM É O JOSÉ VALENTE (who is José Valente), released end 2024, received significant media attention from SIC, RTP, Público, Porto Canal, Antena 3, Revista Caras, Glam Magazine, Rua de Baixo, Antena 2, Esectv and Comunidade Cultura e Arte, Jornal de Notícias, Jornal de Letras, and many more. QUEM É O JOSÉ VALENTE is now on tour (solo recital) and was presented at Ilha do Pico, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Cuba, Barroselas, Reitoria da UP, Gouveia, Vigo (ES) and São João da Madeira. José Valente is now preparing is newest project, "A Cor da Liberdade" in collaboration with the historical Portuguese Brazilian percussion group Batucada Radical, as well as composing several commissions, including two suites for a Iberian ensemble with David Linx as a guest soloist.