Considered one of the most innovative violists of his generation, José Valente continues to develop an intense musical activity defined by the irreverence, contemporaneity and virtuosity of his playing and composing. Since his return from New York, the awarded violist has been exploring the limits of his instrument through the symbiosis of diverse musical styles, rarely associated with the traditional repertoire for viola, establishing consequently a unique musical voice.

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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; Maria Matos Theater, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; Bookaroo Festival (India), Rauf R. Denktas Cultur and Congress Center in Famagusta (Cyprus); Casa da Música (Porto). 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 from the same publication, and in several individual lists from critics. Serpente Infinita was awarded 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 most recent album Águas paradas não movem moinhos, for his new viola sextet 6 Violas, is an homage to José Mário Branco, and has been on the road since its release in 2022.