Jose Carlos Schwarz

José Carlos Schwarz (Bissau, December 6, 1949 – Havana, May 27, 1977) was a Guinea-Bissauan poet and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential musicians of Guinea-Bissau.[1] Schwarz wrote in Portuguese and French, but he sang in Creole. In 1970, he formed the Cobiana Djazz band with a group of friends. After the independence of Guinea-Bissau, Schwarz became the director of the Department of Arts and Culture, and also the responsible for youth matters.