Cesaria Evora: From the Soul!

Cesaria Evora was born in 1941 in Cape Verde. She is known as the “barefoot diva” due to her common appearances in her bare feet. She does this as a way to show her commitment to poor children, women and homeless people in her country. She is not only a folk musician; she is the mother of morna, which is a genre that comes from the Portuguese fado. The subject matter of Cesaria Evoria relies on issues regarding slavery, immigration and isolation that were part of her country during many years.

Accordion, violin, clarinet, guitar and cavaquinho are the common instruments that accompany the sentimental and melancholy voice of Cesaria Evora. She is able to transmit emotions not only through her touching lyrics but also by her finely-tuned voice. She started signing morna when 16 years old. She had to stop singing during the 70’s due to lack of profit. While being 45 years old, she decided to continue singing, so she went to Portugal to record two songs. That was just the beginning. She recorded the albums La Diva aux pieds nus, Distino di Belita, Mar Azul and Miss Perfumado from 1988 and 1992. She was now a worldwide recognized artist and an international star.

Tours to Europe, Brazil, The United States, Africa and Canada were part of their presentations to worldwide audiences. Four more albums were released by Cesaria Evora: Sodade, Les Plus Belles Mornas De Cesaria (1994), Cesaria (1995), Cabo Verde (1997) and Cafe Atlantico (1999). In her next release, Sao Vicente de Longe (2001), she counted on the collaboration of well-known Caetano Veloso, Orquesta Aragon and Bonnie Raitt. A Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music 2004 and a designation as an Officer des Arts et des Lettres are part of the recognitions Cesaria Evora has received. Others albums belonging to her discography are 2002’s Cesaria Evora Anthology and Live in Paris (DVD), 2003’s Voz D'amor and Club Sodade, 2006’s Live D'Amor (DVD and 2006’s Rogamar.