Al Lopes 

Albert Oliveira Lopes 

New Bedford, USA, 1917 – New Bedford, EUA, 1988 

Instrumentalist (strings), music publisher 

Enterprising musician that founded his own orchestra and label.  Al Lopes is appointed by Joli Gonsalves in his text included in the book A Salute to the Cape Verdean Musicians and Their Music (Ron Barboza, 1989) as responsible for revitalizing the Cape Verdean music from the 40’s, with the introduction of new instruments and and recording with his own orchestra and others. He recorded several 78 rpm with the songs “Amor de Mãe”, “Force”, “Morna de Chico”, and “Saude”, among others.  

He edited these recordings in the label he created, named Verdatones, which was also the name of the store where he sold the records, business that he kept until the mid 50’s, when Joli Gonsalves acquired it, changed the name to Lota Discos.  

According to Joli Gonsalves, the band that Al Lopes directed was composed by himself in the viola, by Johnny Lomba in the violin, Juvenile “Juvie” Galvam playing guitar, Joe Andrade in the guitar and voice, Johnny Grace in contrabass, Frank “Pawpaw” Pontes in maracas and Domingo “Mingo” Pina in the accordion.  

According to Ron Barboza in the Cabo Verde & a Música – Museu Virtual, before initiating his musical career, Al Lopes was in his youth an outstanding athlete and the captain of his basketball team in 1935.  

Cabo Verde & its Music – a Virtual Museum would like to know more about this musician and his work. Want to collaborate sending data or pictures? Contact us: contato@caboverdeamusica.online.