Maria da Conceição Rosa Fonseca Fragoso Santa Maria, Island of Sal, 1950s Singer The singer Sãozinha Fonseca, residing in Boston, USA since 1976, emerged in the Cape Verdean music scene after winning the competition ‘Todo o Mundo Canta’ in 1985, representing the Cape Verdean community in the United States. The Read more
Luís Ramos Morais Mindelo, São Vicente, 1935 – New Bedford, EUA, 2002 Instrumentalist (winds), composer, arranger, conductor, teacher Luís Morais is remembered year after year for “Boas festas”, a traditional New Year’s Eve song he arranged and recorded – one of Cabo Verde’s most iconic musical successes. He was an Read more
José Rui Alves de Pina Praia, 1968 Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist (strings) Born in a family of musicians, Zerui began learning music with his uncle, Nho Djonzinho Alves (see the group Pai e Filhos), starting with the rattle and later string instruments, alongside his cousins. ‘We had something like a school Read more
Adriano Gonçalves Mindelo, São Vicente, 1932 – Lisbon, 2013 Singer, music publisher Bana, considered “the greatest interpreter of morna and coladeira” – genres to which he dedicated his more than 50 years career – is among the Cabo Verdean artists with the most extensive discographies. He was a true giant Read more
Joaquim Fernandes Alves Praia, Santiago, 1966 Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, arranger Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, music producer, and self-taught sound engineer Kim Alves, before founding his own recording studio in 2003 – KMagic Digital Studio in Praia – spent several years living abroad, working as a musician and producer to fulfill a Read more
Humberto Bettencourt dos Santos Chã de Manuelim, Paul/Porto Novo, Santo Antão, 1940 – Mindelo, São Vicente, 2023 Instrumentalist (guitar) Considered one of the leading guitar soloists in Cabo Verde, all of his solo recordings were produced between 1966 and 1971, when he was studiyng at the University of Louvain in Read more
Group, 2002-2003 In 2002, the II Congress of Cape Verdean Cadres In the Diaspora (a periodic meeting organized by Cape Verdean emigrants) decided to pay tribute to the group Voz de Cabo Verde (I) by momentarily bringing together its members in the archipelago. The original lineup was nearly complete, with Read more
Joaquim Soares de Almeida Praia Branca, São Nicolau, 1931 Instrumentalist (winds, bass), singer, songwriter A member of Voz de Cabo Verde in its original formation and again in the 2000s, Morgadinho has released one solo album. He has also collaborated with various artists on recordings and has several compositions to Read more
Ildo Neves de Sousa Lobo Sal, 1953 – Praia, Santiago, 2004 Singer, songwriter Owner of a sonorous, open, and powerful voice, Ildo Lobo was already one of the most acclaimed artists among the Cabo Verdean public long before starting his solo career. From the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, as a Read more
Joaquim de Pina Fajã d’Água, Brava, 1950s Singer, songwriter, producer, businessman Romantic singer, but with an eclectic repertoire where there’s room for the various Cape Verdean rhythms, from morna to funaná, including koladera, and even space for zouk at times and Brazilian music, of which he is an admirer. He Read more