Maria de Barros

Maria de Barros' music transcends taste, preference and even language. It travels through countries dense with culture, picking up pieces of each along the way, combining distinct inflections of Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, France and Spain, while allowing the tradition and culture of Cape Verde to permeate.

Melodies melt off her tongue with the same richness and maturity of a contemporary Cape Verde club singing Ella Fitzgerald, except that this songstress's club is bursting with a taste of… Show more Latin spice, serving Portuguese and African cuisine with dancers to match and audiences swinging their hips to Maria's sensual Morna and Coladeira beats.

Her newest album, Morabeza, speaks to the past and present in its production, integrating a repertoire of songs written by revered songwriters such as Manuel d'Novas, Betu, Kaka Barbosa, Jorge Barbosa, Teofilo Chantre, Ramiro Mendes, as well as newer talent including the likes of To Alves, Calu di Guida, Joe Andrade, Kalu Monteiro and Djim Job.

Maria's musical canvas, with an undercoat of traditional Criolu daubed with bright flecks of Latin pop and African soul, is like a global triptych, made up of all different parts, influences and dialects, yet each piece standing alone, would be much less exciting or meaningful. The beauty can only be truly appreciated when all are perceived simultaneously - an aural masterpiece.

Her achievements include the Cape Verdean Artist of the Year, awarded by Cape Verdean Radio/TV/Newspapers in US in 2005, the Miriam Makeba Award for Excellence in Music, given by Radio DJs in the United States in 2006, and the Cultural Certificate of Merit awarded by the Ministry of Culture in Cape Verde in 2008. She has also hosted the "Soul of Africa" programme on BET Jazz television since 2006 while a song from her latest album was placed in the international hit HBO series "Entourage". The recognition of this songstress's talent is a testament to her global appeal and drive, which she hopes will help her in her strife for a better world.

Show less