Luís Jardim


Luís Alberto Figueira Gonçalves Jardim was a Portuguese percussionist and multi-instrumentalist. He was best known for his work with producer Trevor Horn.

Early life

Jardim was born in Funchal, the capital city of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, in 1950. His cousin was Alberto João Jardim, the long-serving was the President of the Regional Government of Madeira.
During the 1960s, he was a member of a rock band called Demónios Negros. He moved to England the following decade in order to study business administration.

Musical work

Jardim worked prolifically as a session musician in London during the 1980s and 90s – mostly playing percussion, bass, drums and occasionally keyboards.
His career included music composition, production, arrangements, and studio work. He took part in the UK selection process for the Eurovision [Song Contest 1981], fronting the group 'Headache' in the United Kingdom in the [Eurovision Song Contest 1981|A Song for Europe] contest broadcast on BBC1. The song, "Not Without Your Ticket ", placed seventh of the eight entries.
Beginning with ABC's debut studio album The Lexicon of Love in 1981/1982, Jardim worked extensively on projects with Trevor Horn, including with Seal and on Grace Jones' Slave to the Rhythm, including playing bass guitar on the title track. He produced Everything Could Be So Perfect, the debut studio album by Anne Pigalle for Horn's ZTT label. He went on "tournées" with Tina Turner, George Michael, and Rod Stewart.
Jardim played drums, percussion, bass guitar, and guitars. He played live at the 2004 Produced by Trevor Horn show and with the Producers in 2006/2007.
He worked with Prefab Sprout, Madness, Asia, Claire Martin, Yes, Sir Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, They Might Be Giants, Mike Batt, David Bowie, Cher, Grace Jones, Björk, Mezzoforte, Bee Gees, Duran Duran, Robbie Williams, Elvis Costello, Gareth Gates, Tom Jones, Alejandro Sanz, Nina Hagen, João Pedro Pais, Eros Ramazzotti, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Johnny Hallyday, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Sir Elton John, George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, Katie Melua, Modern Romance, Jeff Beck, Fish, Tina Turner, Roddy Frame, Billy Idol, Coldplay, David Gilmour, Tears for Fears, the The, Steve Hogarth and Marillion.

Work on Portuguese television

Jardim appeared on the Portuguese version of Pop Idol. He was then a judge on Uma Canção Para Ti, a talent show for young people for two seasons. He was a judge on A Tua Cara Não Me é Estranha, a show where eight Portuguese celebrities in the field of acting and music mime a randomly selected musician every week.

Personal life

He was married to vocalist Linda Allen, known for her work with Buggles on their biggest hit "Video Killed the Radio Star", until her death in 2015.

Death

Jardim died on 4 July 2025, his 75th birthday, in Cadaval.

Collaborations

With AsiaArena Aura
With Blue ZoneBig Thing
With Ray CharlesStrong Love Affair
With Beverley CravenLove Scenes Mixed Emotions
With Bryan FerryTaxi Mamouna
With Frankie Goes to HollywoodWelcome to the Pleasuredome Liverpool
With Clive GriffinStep by Step Clive Griffin
With Nina HagenNina Hagen Street
With Holly JohnsonBlast Soulstream
With Annie LennoxDiva Medusa
With SealSeal Seal Seal IV 7
With Wet Wet WetHolding Back the River 10
With Robbie WilliamsEscapology Reality Killed the Video Star
With others