Cesaria Evora Overview

As a teenager, Cesaria Evora performed in bars in her native Mindelo, a town on São Vicente island -- known as Cape Verde's most cultured island. By the age of 20, she was the solo star of local radio stations. In... [more]

As a teenager, Cesaria Evora performed in bars in her native Mindelo, a town on São Vicente island -- known as Cape Verde's most cultured island. By the age of 20, she was the solo star of local radio stations. In her mid-40s, Evora finally left her island to break into the Paris scene, and released her debut single "Distino di Belita." Evora's acoustic songs are deeply emotional narratives about personal and national struggles. Her most recent releases are "Miss Perfumado" and "Mar Azul." Lyrics from "Miss Perfumado" speak of the uncertainties of love: "If you write to me/ I'll write to you/ If you forget me/ I'll forget you." Evora always performs barefoot, as a tribute to her people and their lifestyle. Her most recent albums feature compositions by her uncle, morna composer Francisco Xavier da Cruz (a.k.a. B. Leza), who has arranged music for her since the beginning of her career. [show less]