Influenced by Marvin Gaye and Tim Maia, Cláudio Zoli started to sing and play the acoustic guitar as a boy. At 17, he became a member of his idol Cassiano's band. In 1982, Zoli formed the Banda Brylho. Zoli's composition "A Noite Do Prazer," with evident George Benson influences in his simultaneous vocalizations -- with the also Benson-like guitar phrasing -- was the band's big hit. With the group's dissolution three years later, Zoli released his first solo album in 1986, Livre Para Viver. In 1989, Marina Lima recorded "À Francesa" (Zoli/Antônio Cícero), which became a national hit. Zoli also was recorded by Elba Ramalho ("Felicidade Urgente"). In 1993, he had a stint with Ritchie and Vinícius Cantuária on their 1993 album, Tigres de Bengala. After eight years out of the studios, he recorded the solo Ferias in 1999, a calmer and romantic album with the hit "Zoli Show." With soul-related Brazilian artists Max de Castro, Bukassa, Jairzinho Oliveira, Wilson Simoninha, Tutti Baê, Classe, Silvania Mello, and the Billy Soul Band, he performed in São Paulo's 2001 Festival Eu Soul Brasileiro. In 2001, he released a new album, produced by Simoninha. ~ Alvaro Neder