Candida Rose

Published by GN on 07/31/202307/31/2023

Candida Rose Baptista

New Bedford, USA, 1960

Singer, songwriter, educator

Candida Rose

In addition to a long artistic career as a vocalist of various genres, including R&B, spiritual, and jazz, Candida Rose has also become known as a Cape Verdean musical artist and educator. She is the granddaughter of Cape Verdeans from the Islands of Santo Antao and Brava.

Her first CD was released to the public in 2006. This CD entitled KabuMerikana: The Sum of Me mixed her Cape Verdean musical roots with her American, mainly jazz, influences, a combination she calls “KabuJazz” (Cabo Verde & A Música – Dicionário de Personagens). The CD was co-produced by Kalu Monteiro and Djim Job for Notera Studios. In 2006, when the CD was released, she traveled to Cape Verde for the first time as a background vocalist with Tiny Tavares to perform at the Santa Maria Festival which took place on the Island of Sal. In May of 2007, as part of the ZeRui Depina band that accompanied To Alves, she went to the Gamboa Festival, in Praia, on the Island of Santiago, where she presented the first song from her CD, Kabu Verdi Un Dia.

Candida Rose graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, in 2005, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, specializing in Music with a focus on African-American/World Music performance. While there, she was part of several ensembles including gospel and jazz. She has also performed with various artists in the R&B, jazz, gospel, and world music genres. In 2017, she obtained a Master of Science Degree in Transnational, Cultural, and Community Studies (now known as Critical, Ethnic, and Community Studies) from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

In addition, she founded her own company, Golden Rose Music, and works as a Life Enrichment Entertainer, performing for nursing home, assisted living, and adult day care facilities, as well as other organizations that provide services to the elderly, promoting the enrichment of their daily lives through music. Her other musical endeavors included being a vocal coach, cultural educator, and occasionally sings for jazz clubs, corporate functions, and any other events where her special brand of vocal artistry is welcomed.

Candida Rose, in Cândida Rose in different moments of performance. Photos provided by Candida Rose

Discography

Kabumerikana: The Sum of Me, CD, Golden Rose Music Productions, Taunton, 2006.
Here I am, single, Golden Rose Music Productions, 2021.
Love Each Other Through, single, Golden Rose Music Productions, 2022.
Here I am, digital album, Golden Rose Music Productions, 2021.