Nancy Vieira - Cape Verde

The clear, cool timbre of Nancy Vieira's voice infuses Cape Verde's classic morna style with a refreshing hue. Born in Guinea-Bissau, she grew up in Cape Verde, in the capital Praia and then moved to Portugal, where her father - a former musician who had once played with Cesária Évora, gave up his career to become active in the independence struggle - was ambassador to Cape Verde. Her international breakthrough came with her 2007 album "Lus". In 2014, she gave an impressive performance at the Afrika Festival in Hertme. The reason for inviting her again at our 35th edition, besides the fond memory of that performance, is the fact that she is about to release a new album. On that album "Gente", to be released in mid-March this year, she draws inspiration from a mixture of funana and samba, also known as funamba. Nancy has gained a reputation as the most beautiful and warmest voice in Cape Verde over the past decade.

Nancy Vieira, vocals
Vaiss Dias, guitar and cavaquinho
Olmo Marin, guitar and cavaquinho
Jorge Cervantes, bass guitar
Diogo Carvalho, percussion