Armando de Pina
Armando de Pina
Achada Ponta, Brava, 1935
Singer, songwriter
Songwriter, singer and violinist, dedicated in particular to morna, Armando de Pina emigrated to the United States in the 1950s. The first time he traveled to this country was in 1957, on the historic ship Ernestina.
He is the author of one of the greatest classics of Cape Verdean music, “Mar e morada sodade”, which he composed in 1963, while walking along the beaches of Nantasket, in Massachusetts, missing his homeland. The following year, he wrote “Djabrara ‘n ca negabo”, another well-known morna, which also sings about love and longing for his native island.
He recorded his first album, Nha Pensamento in 1985, in Portugal accompanied by the group África Star. Two decades later the second Alma Cabo-verdiana was released, with arrangements and artistic direction by Vuca Pinheiro.
In 2011, as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of Cape Verde’s independence, Armando de Pina was awarded the first class of the Volcano Medal by the President of the Republic.
Discography
- Nha pensamento, LP, e/a, Lisboa, 1985.
- Alma cabo-verdiana, CD, e/a, Brockton, 2005.
Songs
Altar Divino; Bidjiça; Djabraba N Ca Negabo; Grupo sem Igual; Mãe; Mar E Morada de Sodade; Marcha pa Frente; N´Ca bem di Basofero; O Siba Lebam Lisboa; Sara (parceria com Falai e Nana); Sombra di Bo Olhar; Tudo em Vão.