Carmen Souza Live in Lisbon

Carmen Souza live@ LISBOA
MISTURA FESTIVAL 09
29 Nov., 19h20
S.Luiz
bilheteira@teatrosaoluiz.pt
21 3257650

Carmen Souza

Carmen Souza
Originally uploaded by Phil Songa

Musicport 09 (c) PHIL SONGA

Carmen Souza

Carmen Souza
Originally uploaded by Phil Songa

Musicport 09 (c) PHIL SONGA

Carmen Souza

Carmen Souza
Originally uploaded by Phil Songa

Musicport 09 (c) PHIL SONGA

Carmen Souza

Carmen Souza
Originally uploaded by Phil Songa

Musicport 09 (c) PHIL SONGA

Carmen Souza

Carmen Souza
Originally uploaded by Phil Songa

Musicport (c) Phil Songa

Carmen Souza Review@Caipirinha Lounge-PT

"She says her music is “somewhere between jazz, folk, and Africa”, and even if I hadn’t heard any of her unique fusion music or heard the first heartfelt notes of her earthy voice, I would have been sold anyway.
Carmen Souza is yet another refreshing export of that paradise of music called Cape Verde - she was born and raised in Lisbon and identifies strongly with that country, but you can see through her music and her Creole lyrics that her soul belongs to Cape Verde.
Carmen Souza’s music is not of the Lura or Sara Tavares variety really; rather, it’s an artful blend of traditional Cape Verdean rhythms with contemporary jazz and an intimate acoustic element. For me, Carmen’s music wasn’t immediately catchy but rather aged beautifully after repeated listening. Her tracks are sometimes bare but arrestingly complex, simple but with a surprising depth, mostly supplied by her deep, earthy voice. Her track Afrika (from her 2nd album, Verdade) is a case in point – at first it shows characteristics of traditional Cape Verdean music a la Mayra Andrade, but instead Carmen’s voice lightly flirts with the instruments and never takes over the song, almost teasing us. And midway through, the track devolves into a sound that is distinctly jazz influenced but not quite so, enough that you can still say, yes, Carmen is Cape Verdean. Ind’Feso, also from Verdade, is another favorite of mine, and in it you can hear Carmen hit low and high notes among the backdrop of the batuques we have come to expect from those islands, expertly provided by her Mozambican percussionist Pedro Segundo, and a jazzy bass line developed by her mentor and producer, the Portuguese Theo Pas’cal.
Portuguese Translation
"Ela diz que a sua música é “algo em redor ao jazz, folk, e Áfrika”, mas mesmo se eu nunca tivesse ouvido as suas músicas únicas e aliciantes, e mesmo se nunca tivesse ouvido a voz ímpar dela, acho que compraria o disco so mesmo pelas palavras que ela escolheu para definir a sua música. Camen Souza é mais uma filha daquele paraíso musical que são as ilhas de Cabo Verde. Nasceu e cresceu em Lisboa, filha de imigrantes caboverdianos, mas basta um minuto ou dois da sua música e das suas letras em crioulo para se dar conta que a alma dela é, sem duvida, caboverdiana.A música de Carmen Souza não é bem o que os fãs de musica caboverdiana esperam. Não é bem Lura nem Sara Tavares, mas sim uma fusão artística dos ritmos tradicionais cabo-verdianos com jazz contemporâneo e guitarras acústicas. A primeira vez que a ouvi não fiquei imediatamente captivado; precisei de várias sessões com o disco ao ouvido para realmente começar a deliciar-me com estas canções, canções estas que muitas vezes são cruas mas complexas, simples mas com uma profundidade imensa. A voz de Carmen é algo à parte, é como um instrumento que ela usa ao seu bel prazer e com um efeito arrasador. A música Áfrika (do seu segundo album, Verdade) é um belo exemplo disto – primeiro parece uma música a la Mayra Andrade mas à meio transforma-se num jazz intensamente africano, claramente influenciado por Cabo Verde e apimentado com a voz guturral de Carmen. Ind’Feso (do mesmo album) é outra canção que me caiu bem, e demonstra a versitalidade da voz desta cantora. A voz dela vira um instrumento, bem acompanho pelos batuques tocado pelo percussionista luso-moçambicano Pedro Segundo e o baixo tocado pelo português Theo Pas’cal, o mentor e productor desta cantora."
By Claudio Silva at http://lusotunes.blogspot.com/2009/10/carmen-souza.html

Carmen Souza UK Dates

Carmen Souza Talent of the Month at Radio GROOVALIZACION

Carmen Souza is talent of the month at Radio Groovalizacion:

"Cabo Verde, esse pequeno arquipélago africano semeado de infinitas paisagens musicais, foi desde sempre terra de encontros, de chegadas e de partidas, de viagens e de travesias. Um povo de identidade mestiza fruto do cruzamento entre os portugueses e europeus colonizadores e os africanos arrancados do continente para converter-se em escravos. Um território que desenvolveu uma cultura musical genuína fruto dessa raiz bicéfala e que contínua aberto a novas influências como consequência das migraciones em massa para Europa e Estados Unidos nas últimas décadas.

Carmen Souza nasceu em 1981 em Lisboa, crescendo entre a cultura portuguesa e a caboverdiana, criada entre o crioulo de casa e o português da escola. Sua música absorve tanto esencias das músicas e os ritmos de Cabo Verde (coladeira, morna, batuque…) como aromas do funky, o soul e especialmente do jazz, com toda sua frescura, liberdade e elegância. Com dois discos publicados, “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde” em 2005 e “Verdade” em 2008, está-se a converter por direito próprio numa das máximas representantes de uma geração mestiza de cantoras entre as que destacam Lura, Mayra Andrade e Sara Tavares que, sem ter nascido em Cabo Verde, são as autênticas embaixadoras da cultura de seus antepassados."

"Cape Verde is this small archipelago off the west coast of Africa blessed with huge musical diversity. It has always been a crossroad of cultures, a land shaped by arrivals and departures, trips and voyages. The people have a rich heritage fruit of the mixing of Portuguese, Europeans and Africans taken away as slaves during the triangular trade. This territory has developed a genuine musical culture result of the constant influences brought by the massive migrations towards Europe and the United States that happened in the last few decades.

Carmen Souza was born in 1981 in Lisbon where she grew up nourished by both Portuguese and Cape Verdean cultures: Creole at home and Portuguese at school. Her music absorbs with great originality, spontaneity and elegance the many rhythms of Cape Verde (batuke, morna, cola djon...) as well as influences of funk, soul and Jazz. With two albums released to date, “Ess ê nha Cape Verde” in 2005 and “Verdade” in 2008, she has become, alongside Lura, Mayra Andrade and Sara Tavares, one of the most important figures of a generation of mixed-raced singers who despite not being born in Cape Verde are true ambassadors their ancestors’ culture. "

http://www.groovalizacion.com/en/the-news/360-talento-del-mes-carmen-souza.html

Carmen Souza @ TV & Radio Portugal

TV

- Hoje 19 de Agosto das 21 às 22 horas programa Latitudes da RTP-AFRICA.
Entrevista com Carmen Souza

Rádio

O programa de rádio oficial das Crónicas da Terra, denominado “Terra Pura”, que é emitido nas Rádios Zero do Instituto Superior Técnico em Lisboa, Universitária do Minho em Braga e Miróbriga em Santiago do Cacém dedica as próximas dez horas de emissões à edição 2009 do FMM de Sines.

Ao longo de uma dezenas de programas, serão transmitidos alguns dos momentos musicais dos 36 intervenientes, serão igualmente transmitidas mais de uma dezena de entrevistas realizadas em Sines com os seguintes artistas: Acetre, Warsaw Village Band, Carmen Souza, Dele Sosimi, Ukrainians, Trilhos, Manecas Costa, Narf, Chicha Libre, Alamaailman Vasarat e Hanggai.

- Rádio Zero

- RUM

- Miróbriga

Os podcasts deste série dedicada ao FMM de Sines irão sendo arquivados na secção habitual deste site (categoria rádio).

Link da entrevista: http://cronicasdaterra.com/cronicas/2009/08/26/terra-pura-especial-fmm-sines-2009-3-carmen-souza/

After an amazing concert at the FMM Sines 2009, Carmen Souza take the stage for her live debut in Italy at the SUONI DI TERRA FESTIVAL in 29 August.

See more details at: http://www.suoniditerra.org/2009/index.html

Her album is already available in Italy!!!

Report Carmen Souza at FMM Sines 2009

5 Choices to 5 nights at FMM Sines 2009

Despite being less known than Mayra Andrade, Lura and Sara Tavares, a Cape Verdean born in Lisbon (and is so natural to say this) Carmen Souza deserves, in its own right, to integrate the leading group of the best new singers from Cape Verde. António Pires, TIME OUT LISBON, PT,2009

Carmen Souza was until the great concert of the festival (22 July 2009)

Closing one more day of FMM, Carmen Souza (in photo), born in Portugal but the daughter of Cape Verdean parents, gave so far the most warm show of the Festival...Accompanied by a remarkable group of musicians, with emphasis on Pas'cal Theo, his' second father ', on bass and double bass, the singer was always very communicative and skilled in implementing its jazz, silky and velvety.The version of Cesaria Evora, had to be 'Sodade', as it was indeed, a passionate and heartfelt rendition. The chemistry on stage was almost palpable, with a gentle voice to soar, free but firm, in the hot blast of sax and the keys to Soave as slippers.Certainly will be in the memory as one of the highlights of this festival.

Helder Gomes, Cotonete, PT, 2009

Cinco escolhas para cinco dias em Sines
Apesar de ser menos conhecida do que Mayra Andrade, Lura ou Sara Tavares, a cabo-verdiana nascida em Lisboa (e é tão natural dizer-se isto) Carmen Souza merece, por direito próprio, integrar esse pelotão da frente das melhores novas cantoras cabo-verdianas.
António Pires, Time Out Lisboa, PT, 2009

Carmen Souza deu até ao momento o grande concerto do festival (22 Julho)
A fechar mais uma jornada do FMM, Carmen Souza (na foto), nascida em Portugal mas filha de pais cabo-verdianos, deu até agora o espectáculo mais caloroso do certame. Sempre bem-disposta e quase obsessivamente preocupada com o bem-estar de quem a seguia do lado de fora, através das televisões montadas no exterior, a cantora abriu com o tema-título de "Verdade", o segundo disco, lançado no ano passado. As influências de Carmen, que vão desde a música de Cabo Verde à soul, e sobretudo ao jazz, fazem aquilo que ela chamou de «esta miscelânea, esta cachupa». Acompanhada por um notável conjunto de músicos, com destaque para Theo Pas'cal, o seu «segundo pai», no baixo e contrabaixo, a cantora esteve sempre muito comunicativa e competente na execução do seu jazz de ninar, sedoso e aveludado. A primeira de duas aparições do saxofonista Jay Corre (personagem afável e quase caricatural, sempre no bom sentido) deu-se na reinterpretação de 'Song For My Father' de Horace Silver. Na sua voz quente e cativante, Carmen pediu depois para o público a acompanhar em 'África' para o registo em DVD (viria a insistir na mesma música já no encore). A haver versão de Cesária Évora, teria que ser de 'Sodade', como foi efectivamente, numa apaixonante e sentida rendição. A química em palco era quase palpável, com a voz doce a planar, livre mas firme, no sopro quente do sax e nas teclas que soavam como pantufas.Ficará certamente na memória como um dos pontos altos deste festival. Helder Gomes, Cotonete, PT, 2009

Ver video da actuação/ See video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v8dukKkTL4

Carmen Souza at FMM 2009

Carmen Souza will be playing at the best World Music Festival in Portugal, Festival Musicas do Mundo de Sines, in 21 July at the Sines Arts Centre.

"Festival Músicas do Mundo, the biggest world music party in Portugal, was 10 years old in 2008 and celebrated the anniversary with the largest and strongest programme ever. Ten full days of music with 40 concerts and parallel initiatives took place on four stages set in the village of Porto Covo (next to the fishing harbour) and the town of Sines (Arts Centre, Beach Stage and Castle)."
www.myspace.com/fmmsines

Carmen Souza in Amsterdam

Carmen Souza is schedule to perform at IJAZZ FESTIVAL in Amsterdam on 7 June.

She will play at the main stage, Podium De Helling.

On the same stage/day will play JOC feat. Oleta Adams, Matt Bianco, Cristina Branco.

More info: WWW.IJAZZ.NL

Carmen Souza April North American Tour

Carmen Souza once again delivered amazing performances in Toronto, Minneapolis and Chicago during her latest Tour in Canada and US. The public loved it and are asking for more......and she will be coming back in July.......

Press and Public feedback:

"For decades, the music of Cape Verde was identified with a single talent, the penetrating vocalist Cesaria Evora. But in recent years, this group of islands off the west coast of Senegal in Africa has begun exporting more high-quality artists...Now add 27-year-old Carmen Souza — born in Lisbon to Cape Verdean parents — to the list...Souza has a charismatic, playful streak, earthier and less arty but otherwise not unlike Marie Daulne of Zap Mama..."
Minnpost.com, Minneapolis, USA

"Carmen Souza’s rich voice soothes as much as it swings. It’s that same lilting quality that keeps the Cape Verdean singer’s breezy originals so easy on the ears—seamlessly blending African rhythms with soulful melodies sung in Creole."
Time Out, Chicago, USA

"Last weekend Carmen Souza put on a spellbinding performance ... gliding between breathy ballads, sexy funana rhythms from her ancestral Cape Verde, and a beautiful cover of Horace Silver’s "Song From My Father."

MinnPost, Minneapolis, USA

"What a great AfroJazzy Nite @ the CCC in the MinneApple last evening.Carmen, you and the guys were "world class" Wanaku, Minneapolis, USA

"What a wonderful performance here in Chicago last night, thank you! The sunshine, light and inspiration in your words and voice were the perfect remedy for the stormy weather.Beautiful sight, beautiful song and beautiful spirit! Do come visit us again soon!"
Free Whill, Chicago, USA

"Oh my God, it was wonderful, beautiful, even bordering as breath taking experience. Your voice, sultry, rythmic, culturally boundless, sweet, charming, innocent, and even funny"
Roger John, Chicago, USA

" I really enjoyed your concert yesterday in Chicago. Come back soon! Thanks for sharing Cape Verde and your world view in such a wonderful way."
Chicago, 2009

"I saw you in Chicago. It was an amazing performance! Thank you! I can't wait for your return."
Greg MCcain, Chicago, USA

Carmen Souza Live at Minnesota Public Radio

You can now hear Carmen live session at Radio Heartland
by Dale Connelly, Minnesota Public Radio

Carmen Souza Live

Carmen New promo film:

4 Stars review from Germany

Another 4 Stars Review this time from Germany.

Carmen song at 'Nascente' Compilation

Carmen Souza song 'Verdade' was inclueded at the Compilation

'Beginners's Guide to Africa' from the Uk Label ' Nascente'.

Other artists like Amadou & Mariam, Vieux Farka Touré, Konono Nº1, Ba Cissoko, Rokia Traoré among many other great african musicians are also in this 3 cd compilation. She the only Cape verdean on this collection.

This new released is already in first place at the TOP 100 African cd's at Tower.com.

This cd's will be released in UK Amazon at 16 March 2009:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Guide-Africa-Various-Artists/dp/B001NOMOOC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1236623236&sr=8-1

Carmen Souza interview

After her great performance at S. João da Madeira, Portugal, in 20 february 2009, carmen Souza gave an interview for the Portuguese Jornal 'Labor.pt':

http://www.labor.pt/index.asp?idEdicao=170&id=8351&idSeccao=1762&Action=noticia

Carmen Souza photos at St.Ethelburgas, London, 20 February

"They were amazing, she is amazing.So much talent so suitable for the venue."
Wallee Mcdonnell, St.Ethelburgas World Music Promotor.
www.stethelburgas.org

Audience

"It was awesome!" Priscilla Rampazzo
"Very charismatic and talented singer, with lots of energy and enthusiasm. The music was beautiful too!"Victoria

Jazzadelic - Jazz

Jazzadelic - Jazz

After 2 sold out concerts in London at Green Note, featured at The Independent list of the Best Five Gigs to see in London that week, and St.Ethelburgas, both concerts recomended by Time Out London, Carmen music is now featured in Jazz Magazine, from The Netherlands, February issue with inclusion in the Jazzdelic CD, distributed free with the magazine and a full page interview.

http://www.jazzmagazine.nl/Jazzadelic.html
In Last month issue of Jazz Magazine Carmen received a 5 STARS review of the cd 'Verdade'.

MORE NEWS TO COME SOON.......

After a SOLD OUT concert at Green Note in London here goes the February concerts in London and Portugal.

20 February, St.Ethelburgas- http://www.stethelburgas.org/

Portugal Tour info at - http://www.jazzintaprod.pt/ (agent)

'Verdade' MP3

Finaly,

you can now buy 'Verdade' Mp3 songs at Mondomix.

http://mp3.mondomix.com/carmen-souza

Verdade is featured release of this week at mondomix downloads page...........

CARMEN NEW VIDEOS AT MYSPACE

Check out Carmen Souza new live videos featuring concerts in Holand, Uk and Portugal plus interview.

www.myspace.com/carmensouza

Carmen Souza @ Jazz Magazine -NL

Carmen Souza begins the new year with a five stars review of her album 'Verdade' by the Dutch magazine 'Jazz'. Also the album enters the list of best 2008 albums chosen by the jornalist

Hans Speekenbrink in the Blues/Singer-songwriter catergory.

"...With ´Verdade' Carmen proves that she is more than yet another Cape Verdean singer...it has its own developed unique style, which borrows little from traditional styles as Morna and coladeira. From sad Sodade is absolutely no question is in her. You would be able to describe her music as acoustic Cabo Verde jazz / fusion. In her own way of singing - in the Cape verdisch Creole - she does on the one hand reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, on the other hand, it sounds Perguntá Sem Fim as a Brazilian jazz singer: intimate and self-assured! They are looking for both the high and low registers in her voice. Toppers are the powerful African KA and Vaidade ê Leviandade, funana soul of the upper shelf, with a powerful driving rhythm of the Brazilian percussionist Paulo Martins Rosa. In Levantá No. Bai batadrums carmens give the music an Afro-Cuban sound that is embedded in jazzy arrangements.Carmen Souza is a promise!"
http://www.jazzmagazine.nl/Albums%20dvd/Cd/Souza__Carmen/Verdade.html

From 27 December 2008, you can Listen to Carmen Souza concerts recorded live By dutch radio Concertzender, in her concert at Bimhuis in amsterdam (13 October) and in Rotterdam at Zuidpleintheater (16 November). http://www.concertzender.eu/programmagids.php?date=2008-12-27&detail=33125&month=0

"Since its start in 1982 the Concertzender is known for its remarkable and adventurous programming. Genuine jazz, rare recordings from private music collections, historical recordings, concert recordings of (still) unknown musicians and spectacular non-Western music are all part of the Concertzender's unique sound...The Concertzender stands for exceptional, serious music. All pieces are broadcast as a whole (no highlights or excerpts) and our programmes are never interrupted by commercials...The Concertzender is able to fulfil its artistic mission thanks to funding by the Dutch Public Radio (NOS) and (financial) support from the music world: organisations as well as individuals." www.concertzender.eu

CARMEN SOUZA @BLITZ LIST

Carmen Souza second solo album "Verdade" was included at BLITZ MAGAZINE, the only music magazine in Portugal, BEST 50 INTERNATIONAL ALBUMS OF 2008. The list will be released at December issue.

Carmen in Switzerland

Carmen Souza @ Bee-flat, 21 December, Berne, Switzerland

Fotos (c) Sabine Burger

Carmen is now confirmed to make a concert in 21 December 2008 at BEE FLAT in Bern - Switzerland.

This will be her live debut in this country and she will be part of "World Music Voices" Series at this highly respected stage.

This World Music series already received voices like: Mayra andrade, Souad Massi, Lila Downs, Yasmin levy, etc.

Carmen Souza in Portugal

CARMEN SOUZA will be represented at WOMEX08 by:

Patrícia Pas'cal - Management - 07799500179
José Melo/Melo Music- Booking - Stand 1-A.02
Connecting Cultures - Label -2-T.12
Derek Andrews - North America Management/Booking - 1-C.03

TV Progr

Don´t loose out Carmen Souza Live at Vpro's VRIJE GELUIDEN at dutch tv on 26 October, 10h30 and 1 November, 09h05
See the programe at :
http://www.vpro.nl/programma/vrijegeluiden/afleveringen/39949604/items/40134397/

"...her (Carmen Souza) strength lies mainly in her incredible possessed, swingende, colourful voice. What a talent!"

by Frits Lagerwerf, Vrije Geluiden

Carmen Souza Holland Debut

Carmen Souza debut concert in Holland at BIMHUIS in Amsterdam was a great success!

You can see below her 5 Stars review at one of the major duch jornals 'de Volkskrant'.

Be alert because more features will be out at duch press soon.

English translation of the review:

" Cape Verdean songstress Carmen Souza has it all: excellent repertoire, a nimble and versatile voice that glides effortlessly through a huge range of registers and a totally relaxed stage presence. Moreover, she swings like hell. A couple of disarmingly witty disclosures about her private life is all she needs to transform a concert hall into an intimate living room...Whether she is singing the plaintive morna (the Cape Verdean variation of the blues) or an exuberant batuco Souza is always convincing owing to her jazzy sense of timing and uncanny ability to bring several shades of nuance to even the highest and lowest notes she sings.”
by Ton Maas
De Volkskrant 15 October 2008 review concert in Bimhuis

Carmen also performed with her band at the VPRO TV programe 'Vrijegeluiden', this will be broadcasted October 26, 27 and November 1.

Carmen concert in Rotterdam was postponed to 16 November, for those who lost the opportunity to see her at BIMHUIS, don´t loose this chance.

BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW: http://www.theaterzuidplein.nl/

I'll be posting more photos and news about Carmen in Holland soon.

NEXT CONCERT

Come and see Carmen Souza live and support the childrean of Gambia.

www.myspace.com/nyodema

"After a short break, Carmen Souza, with Theo Pas'cal on bass guitar/double bass and Pedro Segundo on percussion, once again delighted the audience. Carmen's soulful, velvety voice and charming personality enchanted us all..."

Nyodema

Carmen Souza in Portugal

Carmen Souza will be playing in Lisbon in November.

13 November - Casa da Musica - Porto

&

14 November - Maxime - Lisbon

other promotional apearences and details of the concerts will be anouced soon.

"Verdade" Available in ITALY

"Verdade" is now available in Italy on EGEA

http://www.egeamusic.com/en/2636/articolo_c.html

Release date: 28/08/2008

and is already receiving great feedback from Press:

“Per ricercare la mia vera e reale identità faccio un ripasso di tutto ciò che mi circonda e mi ha influenzato...... Sono tante le influenze che ricadono su di me, che mi considero un essere appartenente al mondo intero, che non corrisponde a nessun stereotipo, a nessuna cultura precisa, perché sono nata e cresciuta tra culture diverse”. Queste parole introduttive di Carmen Souza rendono alla perfezione il sound universale che attraversa il suo terzo disco: Verdade. Prodotto dall’etichetta olandese Connecting Cultures (distr. Egea) questo album segna un passo deciso verso la maturità artistica della talentuosa cantante, nata ventisette anni fa a Lisbona da genitori di origine capoverdiana. La sua formazione avviene all’interno di un crocevia culturale molto variegato, dove predomina l’incontro tra la lingua, le tradizioni e i sapori di Capoverde e la vivacità eterogenea della capitale portoghese. La voce di Carmen è profonda, sensuale, femminile, versatile, espressiva e, al tempo stesso, ritmica e melodica. Una grande miscela di colori quella che sgorga liberamente dal canto della Souza, espressione di un background culturale e sonoro non catalogabile per l’ampiezza di riferimenti, un linguaggio, il suo, che va in direzioni diverse e ritorna sempre arricchito di nuove sfumature. E il risultato di questo girovagare tra suoni e culture si vede in questo cd, di grandissimo spessore: jazz unito a diverse influenze contemporanee, world music, funk, ritmi batà intrecciati a sonorità capoverdiane e brasiliane, afrolatine, ecc. I testi dei dodici brani sono interamente scritti dalla giovane Carmen mentre la musica è¨ firmata da Yeshwa. Difficile scegliere tra le dodici bellissime tracce, ma lasciandomi guidare dall’istinto vi consiglio in particolare la traccia n. 4, Levantà no bal, un intreccio stratosferico di ritmo batà e piano, un linguaggio jazzistico modernissimo, spirituale, alla Roberto Fonseca o alla Omar Sosa. E, non a caso, il pianista è un cubano, Victor Zamora, ottimo strumentista, tecnicamente dotato, come del resto gli altri sette ospiti intervenuti in questa bella produzione. Bravissimo anche il "trio" multietnico che accompagna la Souza: Theo Pas’cal, Orlanda Guilande e Paulo Rosa Martins.Canzoni e musiche affascinanti, dunque, quelle raccolte in Verdade, album corredato di un utilissimo e gradevole booklet in inglese, francese e spagnolo.
Imperdibile."

by Gian Franco Grilli , Salsa.it
http://www.salsa.it/recensioni.aspx?lnrid=1764

"Verdade" Duch Reviews

Carmen Souza second album "Verdade" is receiving great reviews from several countries and in Germany her album beside great feedback from Press also playing in several radio programes.

One of those latest reviews was released by CUTTINGEDGE.BE

Kaapverdische warmte

De 27-jarige Carmen Souza is geboren, opgegroeid en ontdekt in Portugal, maar zal levenslang haar Kaapverdische roots verdedigen en koesteren. Muziek is daartoe een goed middel en met haar tweede album ‘Verdade' toont ze zich nog altijd sterk verbonden met het land waar haar ziel ligt. Afkomstig uit een christelijke familie, is het niet onlogisch dat Souza haar eerste muzikale stapjes zette in het kerkkoor. Het duurde tot 1999voor ze met haar muziek de professionele weg insloeg en haar carrière startte in het meest gerenommeerde Portugese gospelkoor.
‘Verdade' is een ingetogen maar zomers album geworden. Haar vrouwelijke maar lage, aardse en vastberaden stem geeft een warm gevoel aan de plaat, die naar eigen zeggen onstaan is 'in de zoektocht naar haar ware identiteit'. En dat heeft ze meteen omgezet in ‘Confiança': een Engels-Creools nummer over de invloed van jeugdige aanmoedigingen op je latere leven. Best handig, de korte introductie bij elk nummer in het drietalige tekstboekje.
Carmen Souza heeft ‘Verdade' gekneed vanuit verschillende invloeden, gaande van jazz en afrobeat tot blues en bossa, maar gitaar en percussie spelen toch de hoogste noot. ‘S.Anton m'crê conchê bô estória' wijkt daar met de speelse en spaarzame pianoklanken en tweesporige zang ook wat van af. ‘Sem valor' is een ingetogen ballade die toch wat energieker wordt na het parlando-gedeelte. De percussie zorgt het hele album door voor leven en energie, want Souza's stem klinkt nogal dramatisch. In ‘D'xam ess moment' wordt die stem frêle, wat wel te pruimen is.
‘Perguntá sem fim' opent met een verademende saxofoon. Het nieuwe geluid is meer dan welkom, na negen nummers waar het vooral draait om piano, gitaar en percussie. Maar we moeten het toegeven: dit album biedt gaandeweg meer variatie dan de eerste oppervlakkige luisterbeurt doet vermoeden. Wat ons betreft was Carmen Souza's zoektocht succesvol.

4 STARS BY JULIE VAN OOST

http://www.cuttingedge.be/music/reviews/88468-carmen-souza-verdade-

YOU CAN ALWAYS READ ALL REVIEWS AT:

http://www.carmensouza-verdade-truthpressrelease.blogspot.com/

Carmen Souza@barcelona

Next Friday Carmen Souza will be making her spanish debut in Barcelona by the hand of BamWam at the Bam Festival. Her record is already available in spain by Karonte.

DON´T LOOSE THE ENTRANCE IS FREE

www.bamwam.com

www.myspace.com/wamproducctions

Carmen@Green Note-Camden-London

Carmen Souza August dates in UK/Ireland

Carmen Souza will be performing 5 dates in UK and Ireland in August, Don't Loose the opportunity to see this amazing artist and her band.

2 August - NOTTINGHAM RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL

Unison Bandstand
7pm
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/riverside-brochure.pdf

3 August - FARMLEIGH AFFAIR 2008 - DUBLIN-IRELAND
http://farmleighaffair.com/index.html




8 August
GREEN NOTE-Camden-London
106 Parkway, London, NW1 7AN.
Tel: 020 7485 9899
Green Note link
Buy Tickets at: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/31309

16 August
W12 Music Month Festival
London

Carmen Souza@Trowbridge Festival

Carmen Souza will be performing at Trowbridge Festival Main stage in 27 July (Saturday) at 3h30 pm.

The 35th Trowbridge Village Pump Festival takes place at Stowford Manor Farm in Wiltshire, one of the most picturesque settings in the country for an event of this type.
The festival features internationally known acts from the world of Folk/Roots music.

Trowbridge has a reputation as one of the best organised festivals in the country, with a unique atmosphere which is very special, drawing people back year after year.
Once people have experienced a Trowbridge Festival, they come back for more and more, the atmosphere is really unique and for many it is the highlight of the summer - don't miss it!
http://www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk

Carmen Souza Interview@ A Semana

Carmen Souza features on Cape Verdean News paper 'A Semana' has Artist of the week, in an interview about her new record 'Verdade' by the jornalist Pedro Cativelos.

You can read the interview at:

http://www.asemana.cv/article.php3?id_article=34477

Carmen live debut in Holland

We are glad to announce that Carmen Souza will be making her live debut in Holland in October.

She will be playing in Amsterdam and Rotterdam and this concerts will also be the release party's for her record "Verdade" in this country.

Dates:

- 13 October, Amsterdam

http://www.bimhuis.nl/

- 14 October, Rotterdam

http://www.theaterzuidplein.nl/

Carmen will be performing with her Quartet, don´t loose this opportunity to see this amazing artist live.

More details on this concerts will be release soon.

Carmen @ BBC London

Carmen will be at BBC London today recording an interview plus live sessions with DJ Ritu for the "A World in London" radio show. This session will be released in 27 September.

We will be posting the session here soon!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2006/09/20/world_music_feature.shtml

Two 4 STARS REVIEWS FOR "VERDADE"

“Souza herself has moved on from the Cape Verdean stories of Ess ê nha Cabo Verde to a smooth, Jazz inflected style reminiscent of Diana Krall. Setting her apart from such comparisons is the lyrical maturity of her compositions. She is not unique in this as much of Cape Verde music has a poetic assurance that few western writers achieve. No jumble of disconnected phrases masquerading as coherent thought; instead, cogent observations on the monetary value some place on life, the hope given by children, intimate questions of faith, or inner desires. All sung with a sensuous richness and wrapped up in luscious sound steeped in the melodic jazz of Ella or Hancock, Jarret or Zawinul. Blissful stuff. “ FOUR STARS REVIEW by Simon Rowand at ROCK N REEL MAGAZINE, UK








"The Capeverdian singer Carmen Souza is not only another pretty face with a pleasant voice (the shady tonality of her singing extends the enchantment to it).Also a talented songwriter, Carmen has 26 year old and was born in Lisbon, but lives currently in London...Sung in Creole and entirely composed by original songs, Verdade (Truth) looks to deserve its name in each word and each note, mixing traditional rhythms of the archipelago with multiple influences, mainly from Jazz." FOUR STARS REVIEW by J.L.A., EXPRESSO, Portugal

To get acess to more press reviews go to:
http://www.carmensouza-verdade-truthpressrelease.blogspot.com/

Carmen Souza in Wales

Carmen Souza was just included in The Small Nations Festivals line-up to happen in July in Wales. Carmen will be closing the Festival on 13 July:

"Now we have a startling musical journey at the end of the festival, a journey with echoes of the slave routes - from the Mississippi delta (via Greece) and the blues of Little George Sueref, across the Atlantic to the Cape Verde islands and on to Portugal; from the raw earthy voice of George to the golden jazz-tinged voice of Carmen and her fantastic band of world-class musicians." Small Nations Website- http://www.smallnations.co.uk/

Carmen Souza performance at Small Nations Festival was a sucess and one of the highlight of the Festival.

Great Festival, great site!!!

"...another highlight was a lovely singer from Cabo Verde called Carmen Souza who was new to me. She finished with the most gorgeous rendition I've heard of the Verdean standard 'Sodade' (I have versions by Cesaria Evora and the Angolan singer, Bonga, but Carmen Souza's is the new benchmark)."
by Grumpy at http://djgreedyg.proboards77.com

Carmen Souza in Spain

Carmen Souza Quintet was confirmed for Barcelona Acció Musical Festival in 19 September at Sant Jaume Square.

The BAM (Barcelona Acciò Musical) music festival features a number of European heavyweight bands and dance names at various locations (mostly outdoors) throughout the city centre, including the CCCB, the Rambla del Raval, the Plaça de Catalunya, the avenida de la Catedral, Sant Jaume Square and the Fòrum.

www.myspace.com/festivalbam

"Verdade" available in Germany

The German fans can now buy Carmen Souza second album "Verdade" from Galileo Label:

http://www.galileo-mc.de/galileo-mc/cd.php?formatid=1053

You can also buy "Verdade" online at:

Uk- Amazon, HMV, Zavvi

Japan-HMV

Spain-Elkar, Etnomusic

Portugal-Fnac

Germany-Galileo

Carmen Souza Radio Airplay

The Spanish fans can listen to Carmen Souza music at Catalunya Rádio, Antena iCatFM on the programme DELICATESSEN.
http://www.icatfm.cat/

Carmen Souza @ La Radio Algérienne in Algiers

Carmen Souza was interviewed today morning and played live at the Radio El-Bahdja part of Radio Algérienne network. I'll try to make this live performance available soon here at Carmen website.

We are already receiving great feedback from the listeners at Carmen myspace page:

"Magnificent voice and very beautiful orchestration..."

She will be playing today-29 April- at the Nardjess Hall- Theatre de Verdure d’Alger part of the Complexe Culturel Laadi Flici at 20h00.

Concert review:

"Carmen est une artiste complete, interprete s’exprimant en portugais, pianiste et guitariste à la fois. Elle était accompagnée sur scène par son bassiste acoustique, batteur jazzy et pianiste. L’artiste a envouté l’assistance de rythmes oscillant entre jazz, folk et sons africains, tantôt teintés de rythmes joyeux funana et tantôt de rythmes mélancoliques morna. Une fusion exquise de musique cap-verdienne et d’influences contemporaines.
Drapée dans une chatoyante robe en soie, c’est tout en sensualité que Carmen Souza a accompagné le public dans son univers très jazzy, bercé par une voix chaude et maitrisée à la perfection, parfois rauque et puissante et parfois fluette et susurrée. L’aisance du passage des tessitures aigues à graves était le moins déconcertante.
Le public présent a vite integer sa place dans cette ambiance intimiste où Carmen Souza, à portée de main, n’a pas hésité et convié l’assistance à chanter en choeur. Le public n’a d’ailleurs pas été insensible au charme certain de Carmen Souza, dont la présense et la sensualité ont occupé tout l’espace sur scène.
II est surprenant que cette artiste au talent et à la maturité si palpable ne soit pas déjà propulsée au rang dês stars de ce monde, à l’image de Cesaria Evora, dont Carmen a fait une reprise jazzy époustouflante Sodade, encore plus abouti et plus poignante que la version originale.
Si vous avez raté ce concert mémorable, rende-vous sur le site de l'artiste, afin de découvrir son univers musical et d'écouter quelques morceaux choisis."

by B.B, Lekra3.com, Alger, Algeria, 2008

Carmen Souza@ Radio Gladys Palmera from Barcelona-ES

Carmen Souza and her new album Verdade will be the spotlight at the Programme "Sabrosura" by Benito Bueno, at the Radio Gladys Palmera from Barcelona.

Get the Podcast at:

http://rgpfm.podcastspot.com/episodes/997E39

Carmen Souza @ Afrika Today Magazine

Carmen Souza feature will be included in the April issue of the Magazine África Today.

This magazine released by Xangai Editora is distributed in Africa and several other countries and is known to have famous readers like Tony Blair, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton.

"Singing in Creole, puts her Cape-Verdean culture in evidence, but what makes Carmen Souza sound unique is her compositions and her «Soul» Diva voice, that creates a kind of Contemporary Jazz based on the warmth and energy of the African melody."

By Nádia Morais on África Today, Portugal

Carmen Souza @ RDP AFRICA

During the April Month Carmen Souza will be the voice of the RDP África Radio Show "SOULSTÍCIO" with António Santos.
Her song "Sem Valor" has been also on the RDP África Top 10+ songs, for several weeks.

"SOULSTÍCIO" @ http://ww1.rtp.pt/multimedia/index.php?prog=2589

You can now hear on the side of this page Carmen Souza LIVE SONGS and Interviews featuring
-Levantá no bai, Verdade ê Leviandade, Afri ká & Verdade LIVE AT ONDA JAZZ -Lisbon
-Ind'Feso LIVE AT FNAC CHIADO- Lisbon

and also :

Carmen Interview @ Piratepods.com (USA) with Hannah Lazar on 19/03/2008
http://www.piratepods.com/index.php?catid=99&keywords=carmen+souza&submit=Search

Carmen Interview@ Terra Pura (PT) with Luís Rei, released at Rádio Zero, Rádio U. Minho and Rádio Miróbriga.
http://cronicasdaterra.com/cronicas/

Carmen Interview@ BBC Global Hit (USA) with Anchor Lisa Mullins
http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/4941

and soon Carmen Souza at Radio Club show "Janela Aberta" with Ana Souza Dias and Radio Antena 1 show "Vozes da Lusofonia" with Edgar Canelas will be available here.

"Verdade" review at SONGLINES

Carmen Souza “Verdade”
Sophisticated Cape Verdean soul sister

"This album from Carmen Souza adds yet another new voice and sound to the bewildering array of Talented Cape Verdean musicians that are legion on the world music scene... Her Cape Verde tradition is as soft and sensitive as a Laura Nyro ballad-it’s a smoky, dive bar Cape Verde of subtle progressions and syncopations, of Rickie Lee Jones harmonies and Diana Krall Crooning...The result is a mellow but musically complex record that sounds pleasant at first and gets progressively more interesting on each subsequent listen. This is unquestionably one for anyone’s burgeoning Cape Verde collection, taking its place alongside Mayra Andrade, Maria de Barros, Teofilo Chantre, Tcheka, Tiolino and all the others."

***by Alex Robinson

Carmen@THE TIMES & THE INDEPENDENT

Carmen Souza dates this week previewed in second on THE TIMES Stage Top Five Jazz gigs to see by Clive Davis

"Top five jazz: Carmen Souza, Jeff Harnar, Cormac Kenevey
by Clive Davis

2 CARMEN SOUZA
Cultured singer who puts her own jazz spin on the music of her ancestral home, Cape Verde. St Mary’s Church, Churchyard, Ashford (01233 629165), Sat; Norwich Arts Centre, Reeves Yard, Norwich (www.norwichartscentre.co.uk 01603 660352), Mon; The Anvil, Churchill Way, Basingstoke (www.theanvil.org.uk 01256 844244), Tues"

See : THE TIMES ONLINE

CARMEN AT THE INDEPENDENT

Carmen Souza concert release at Momo's previewed at the Five Best Gig's by Tim Cumming.

CONCERTS UK-REVIEWS

Carmen Souza@ The Waverley-Bognor Regis 4 the childrean of Gambia

"It was a fantastic evening. Carmen, Theo and Paulo were wonderful. I can't thank them enough for such a wonderful event.They made a lot of people very happy..."
Comment by Kathryn Burrington from Nyodema-Concert promoter
Carmen and Theo Photos by Adam White/Nyodema

Audience Comments:
"Great gig at the Waverley last night,you and your band were excellent!Entertaining, thoughtful and evocative. :)"
Comment by Russell Johnson at Carmen myspace page

http://www.myspace.com/nyodema

Shiva Nova was delighted to welcome Carmen Souza and her musicians to perform as part of their Equator Series of world music, dance and theatre. The event took place in the beautiful and historic setting of St Mary's Church in Ashford. The sound of Carmen’s amazing voice accompanied by the energy of her musicians filled the rafters and was received with much enjoyment and applause. by Sarah Crow from SHIVA NOVA

Audience comments:
I was absolutely blown away by Carmen and her band...I think she is a wonderful talent with a really nice spirit. I also thoughther band were amazing...As a musician myself I was enthralled by the standard of music. "Comment by Martin Holme

Momo's REVIEWS:
By Michael Mills at capeverdeinlondon.co.uk

Three years after her last performance at the venue, Carmen Souza returned to MoMo’s in London to give a concert featuring songs from her new album, Verdade.
The many admirers squeezed into the small, intimate venue off Regent Street to hear the velvet voice of the woman who's concert featured in the Independent Newspaper as Tim Cumming’s ‘Top 5 Jazz Concerts to See.’ And they were not disappointed. From the moment Carmen started singing her first song of the night, ‘Sem Valor’ the audience were captivated. Feet were tapping and heads were singing to all of the songs sung, with the favourite easily being the uptempo and very catchy ‘Afri Ka.’
Speaking in perfect English, Carmen explained the meaning behind many of the songs she had chosen to sing on the night, which was very helpful and interesting to those in the audience who may not have understood the words. This would more than likely have been the majority, but this did not stop them attempting to join in with the lyrics.
‘Afri Ka’ was also the song Carmen chose to sing after shouts of ‘encore!’ from the dancing crowd. As I have mentioned in the past, Carmen’s fusion style will attract a wider audience than the more traditional Cape Verdean music. Particularly from followers of Jazz. I would say for this reason, Carmen is unique in this aspect.
Those parts of the UK who have yet to experience Carmen Souza have a treat ahead. If the queue of people waiting to buy her album after the concert at MoMo’s is anything to go by, they definitely won’t be disappointed.

Audience Comments:

"The Momo's concert was pure bliss. I found myself adrift in a sea of beautiful rhythms, fantastic melodies and your powerful range.Thank you for sharing your most intimate sound with us.The CD has been in rotation all day...I'm still singing Afri Ka...1Love
Comment by HKB FiNN@ Carmen myspacepage -UK

"...was fabulous last night...So cool, organic and deadly captivating!"
Comment by Derek Johnson aka Musicalist@ Carmen myspacepage- UK

Carmen Souza Ireland Debut

Striking Cape Verdean singer Carmen Souza did not disappoint on her debut Irish visit, Carmen Souza gave a captivating performance, appearing on Bray Jazz Festival's World Music Stage on Friday, 2nd May. BRAY JAZZ FESTIVAL - Pic. Robert Goode.

Carmen Souza will be playing in 2 May at the Bray Jazz Fesival in Dublin-Ireland.
Bray Jazz Festival is an international music event weekend that takes place in the North Wicklow seaside town on the May Bank Holiday weekend of each year.Established in the Millennium year, the festival has hosted performances by artists at the very cutting edge of contemporary jazz from at home and abroad - including performers from across Europe, the United States, South America, Africa and the Far East. Since it's earliest days Bray Jazz has also attracted widespread public support - and the event has become a 'date in the diary' for an ever increasing number of music lovers from both across Ireland and abroad. http://www.brayjazz.com/

Carmen Souza live at Channel SIC

Carmen Souza will be one of the musical guests at the TV program "Contacto/Contact" on 27 February.

She will be playing live the song "Verdade" of her new album.

http://sic.sapo.pt/online/entretenimento

Carmen Souza na Antena 1

Carmen Souza will be the guest of Edgar Canelas on the radio program "Vozes da Lusofonia/Voices of Lusophony".

They will be talking about Carmen new release "Verdade".

http://www.rtp.pt/antena1/

Carmen Souza @Witbymusicport Festival

Carmen Souza will be playing at the Witby musicport Festival in Uk at 18 October.

The Musicport Festival takes place in an indoor venue with capacity for 1000, over a weekend in October. It’s the only dedicated world music festival of its type in the region and had featured big names from the world music arena including Eliza Carthy and Guy Davis.

This Festival is supported by The Arts Council who say about it: "High quality world music drawn to North Yorkshire port..."

http://www.musicportfestival.com/

Carmen Souza @LOUD NEW MAGAZINE-UK

Carmen will have a feature on the next issue of Loud New Magazine(Music without boundaries) out in March and will also have a track of her new cd released in the this publication CD.

This Magazine is distributed free all over the UK and to major European cities, to music venues, recording studios, instrument stores and many other music related outlets. The magazine and CD is free to the reader.

http://www.loudnews.co.uk/Issue2.html

"Verdade" Review at www.capeverdeinlondon.co.uk

"I am pleased to say that I recently had the pleasure of listening to the soon to be released new album by Carmen Souze, 'Verdade'.

Walking through the busy streets of London, Carmen’s velvet tones singing ‘D’axam ess moment' through my MP3 took me away from the hustle and bustle and onto a deserted beach on Santo Antao.

As with her previous album, ‘Ess e nha Cabo Verde’, all of the songs are quite ‘simple’ in that only a few instruments are used on each tracks. Simple but effective. Carmen Souza herself plays both the Wurlitzer and guitar. Being as talented as she is, I wouldn’t be surprised if she played them both at the same time!

As well as other artists, Carmen’s producer feature son the album playing bass guitar and percussion.

The album feels as if it was recorded in a small Jazz club in front of an appreciative audience. In fact this album, Levanta no Bai and Pergunta sem fim in particular, has a very jazzy feel about it. A lot more so than the last.

Of all of the Cape Verdean artists we have reviewed I would say that Carmen is the least traditional. Instead she tends to use her Cape Verdean influences and creates a fusion with other forms of music.

‘In terms of the essence of the album...Verdade is even more connected to what I live and experience. I’m no longer speaking about ancient Cape Verdean stories that I’ve heard, I’m talking about my real life, what I believe, my vision ofthe world…The first album was the beginning of an experience and I followed more of my ancestors music and message: this second album Verdade is more personal; I’m not disregarding anything, but I let music and the message within me take the lead.’ (Carmen Souza Press Release)

I look forward to the long summer months, chilling out in the sun, with Verdade playing in the background.

Carmen’s album is released on March 3rd with her UK tour commencing the next day at MoMo’s in London, ending in Norwich on 29th (see the EVENTS page for more details), which will include a charity concert at The Waverley in Bognor Regis on March 15th."

Review by Michael Mills

Carmen Souza na BBCparaafrica.com

Carmen Souza will be appearing in 4 February at the program "Tribuna Cultural", a program part of the portuguese emissions at the BBC para Africa, in a interview by the jornalist Luís Cardador. She will be talking about her new record "Verdade".

This interview is published at the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/portugueseafrica/news/story/2008/02/080205_tribunacarmensouza.shtml soon.

Carmen Souza UK TOUR

Carmen Souza Uk Promo Tour for the new record "Verdade" in March 2008 has already 7 dates confirmed and we are still booking.

In 15 March, Carmen will play at a charity concert at The Waverley in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. This concert will take place to support the charity "Nyodema" , which means ‘helping each other’ in Mandinka one of Gambia’s tribal Languages. Nyodema was formed last year with the following aims in mind:Celebrate World Music and ArtPromote Multi-cultural Awareness, Support Health and Education in West Africa.
SO SUPPORT THE CAUSE BY ATTENDING THE CONCERT, WE WILL WAIT FOR YOU!!!

http://www.myspace.com/nyodema

Carmen Souza new album

Carmen Souza second album called Verdade witch means Truth, will be released worldwide February 2008 under the label Connecting Cultures/Choice Music.
A Cd preview with 6 songs from this album will be pré-released at Womex 2007 in Spain, available at Connection Cultures/Choice Music stand.

This new album show us a more mature formula of her unique sound in her ancestors dialect, Creole, that mixes traditional African, Cape Verdian rhythms like Batuke, Cola djon, Funana and also some afro Cuban and Brazilian, with her jazz contemporary influences. The highly talented and worldwide cast of musicians, from World and jazz backgrounds, that play in this record included Jay Corre a special ‘Old School’ Sax Player that played with Buddy Rich, Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gilespie.

The album final result is beautiful, poignant and inspiring songs, in a totally intimate and acoustic vibe. Carmen once again signs all, profound meaning, lyrics of this album and the co-production, together with her long time music partner and mentor, the composer/musician/producer Theo Pas’cal.

Carmen Souza is a young and high talented singer/songwriter Luso-capeverdian.When I heard her voice for the first time, I immediately recognized she is something very special, like a crude diamond. With every spin of her record, you feel her growing and this gem shines brighter every day."Carmen’s voice is unmistakeably female, but dark, deep and earthy at the same time. You feel the colour and special atmosphere around her in every note & every moment, so you simply must listen to her again and again.Follow her smile and transfer it into music, and you will understand her outstanding feeling for lyrics and melodies.

Thomas Bandulet, Connecting Cultures/ChoiceMusic BV

You can check the lyrics for the 6 songs at:
http://www.carmensouzasongs.blogspot.com/

Stay tune for more news.........

Record deal for Carmen Souza next albums

We are happy to annouce that Carmen Souza just sign a licencing deal for worldwide distribuition with Benelux label Connectiong Cultures/Choice Music.

Connecting Cultures Records philosophy consists in trying to bring people together beyond geographic borders, religious or political differences, thanks to music.The artists produced on Connecting Cultures Records create high standard music, rooted in the tradition but clearly influenced by the sounds of today. All the albums released so far have aroused a real interest and meet an enthusiastic and growing public.Each Connecting Cultures Records cd is accompanied with an elegant hand-made booklet containing between 40 to 60 pages of information translated in three language: English, French and Spanish.

Connecting Cultures/Choice Music catalogue inclued great artists like Yasmin Levy or Marcel Khalife amoung others.

Carmen Souza second album first releases will be Portugal in february 2008 and Uk March 2008.

Carmen Souza in South Korea

Carmen Souza will be presenting her debut album in South Korea for the first time in Asia at the CHEOYONG CULTURAL FESTIVAL.

This year is the 41th anniversary of Ulsan Cheoyong Cultural Festival which is held every year in early October.The Cheoyong Cultural Festival features, in addition to Cheoyong's 'Jaeyi' (a shamanistic ancestral ceremony) at Cheoyongam, a myriad of events at numerous places around town such as the Procession of Cheoyong and King Heongang, the International Folk Dance Fest, festival performance stages, participational exhibit pavilions, along with a variety of things to see, eat and do. It is a shining example of a people-oriented festival that befits the nature of the 21st century.

For more info go to:
www.cheoyong.or.kr

Carmen Souza Radio Airplay

Carmen Souza and her management would like to thank all the Radio programmers around the world that gave and still give airplay to Carmen Souza "Ess ê nha Cabo Verde" debut album. Is because of them that we are able to cross borders and get to listeners regardless of their location and that's a true blessing!!!

Thank YOU!!!

Carmen New CD

Carmen is already working on her next cd to be released in 2008. This new record will continue to explore her own sound of roots/jazz cape verdian music and will count on the participation of several great musicians from Canada, Portugal, Cape Verde, Usa and Uk.

We'll keep you posted on more news!

Carmen Souza Touring UK

Carmen Souza will be playing in The Hawth venue in Crawley in 23 June.

The Hawth Theatre is one of the south's liveliest arts venues playing host to an exciting and diverse mix of theatre, dance, music, comedy, concerts, film and visual arts.

We are still booking more dates in Uk that we hope to release soon.

Carmen in Canada

We are pleased to announced the participation of Carmen Souza and her band at the Vancouver Island Musicfest with a 3 days perfomance of concert and workshops, in 6,7,8 July.

ThisVancouver Island MusicFest has been bringing great roots and world music to the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island since 1995. Produced by the Comox Valley Folk Society, MusicFest is a not-for-profit, cost recovery, volunteer driven event with over 600 volunteers and 300 community sponsors who combine forces to bring this first rate music festival to life.

We are still booking dates in other parts of Canada for this Tour.

Best World Music album By Village 900

Carmen Souza Album 'Ess ê nha Cabo Verde' was chosen by the listeners of the Canadian World Music radio VILLAGE 900 CKMO from Victoria BC has the best world music album of February. Carmen album is on the playlist and last month she was on the 5º place at the top 10 best world music albums along side with artists like Varttina from Real World, Cabruera from Piranha or Toumani Diabate from World Circuit, among others.

Check this at: http://www.village900.ca/music.shtml

Carmen Souza @ Global Hit - The World.org radio

You can read Carmen Souza interview and listean to her music @ Global Hit-The World, a 10 years BBC Radio co-production for the American US radio listeners.
http://www.theworld.org/?q=taxonomy_by_date/2/20061009
To hear the interview go to:
http://www.theworld.org/audio/10092006.mp3

Carmen Souza at itunes music store

You can now buy Carmen music from itunes, ENJOY!

Carmen Souza Ess ê nha Cabo Verde (1st Edition) - itunes now available

Carmen Souza Ess ê nha Cabo Verde (Special Roots edition feat 5 new songs)-Cape Verde in London Store

More online stores in Spain, Poland, Russia, USA, UK, France on this blog internet shops area.

WORLDMUSICCENTRAL.ORG review by Patty-Lynne Herlevi on 24/08/2006

The Bird-o-meter and Youth Culture: Exploring World Pop & Fusion of the 20-something Generation

Songbirds taught me a humble lesson recently. I erroneously thought that if my body didn't immediately react favorably to certain kinds of music, than that music wasn't particularly healing. Often songbirds and squirrels respond favorably to genres of music that I frown upon. The wonderful thing about non-humans is that they do not categorize or judge the way we humans do. They respond to vibration and sound waves that please them. So I believe that I should take my cues from nature rather than my own rigid thoughts.

Even among the creatures, preferences differ. Songbirds gravitate towards flute music of all kinds and soprano vocalists, and squirrels favor Latin and African music. After all, squirrels tend to be quite rhythmic themselves. If you don't believe me, see how many birds appear in your garden while playing music with a medium to high range.

Besides, it's arrogant for humans to believe that other creatures are unable to find pleasure in music. Scientific research has proven that both water molecules (Dr. Masaru Emoto's research) and plants (various studies), respond to musical vibration so then why would animals not respond favorably or unfavorably to music?

Two young women vocalists have been brought to my attention recently, Norwegian pop singer-songwriter, Tonje Unstad and Portuguese-Cape Verdean chanteuse Carmen Souza. While the musicians differ in musical preferences and style, they're both 25 years old and on the cusps of international notoriety. Neither musician shy away from pop music. However, Tonje sings in a variety of styles from flamenco, (Canteen drama), to cabaret, (In the wee hours of the night), to reggae, Latin styles and rock.

Carmen fuses Cape Verdean influences with American jazz and soul music. And while both of these woman produce pleasurable music, it was a struggle for me to move past my own rigid musical preferences. (I still don't care for pop music, but sometimes I find myself making exceptions).
......
Carmen Souza joins the ranks of other young Luso-Cape Verdean singer-songwriters with one foot on the African continent and the other in Europe. Carmen is already poised for success among European audiences having appeared at WOMAD and invited to perform on the BBC 3 "world on your street stage" in 2005. And certainly Portugal brims over with both young Cape Verdean and fado vocalists which can only assist Carmen in finding North American distribution and radio airplay.

My first reaction to Carmen's album was that it sounded too much like American soul music, a genre that doesn't excite me. Yet, the birds flocked into the garden, taking great pleasure in Carmen's music which caused me to question my initial judgment. While Carmen's vocal inflections at times lean towards soul music, she could certainly up the ante of soul music in the American music industry with her pioneering spirit, vocal prowess and tight, uncluttered arrangements.

Her debut CD, produced by her songwriting partner and bassist, Theo Pas'cal features Cape Verdean rhythms, batuco, morna and Kola sanjon played out on polyphonic percussion. And for a 25 year old musician, Carmen possesses sophisticated musical taste which includes the gamut from Keith Jarrett and Diane Krall to Stevie Wonder (old school of soul music).

If you enjoy the music of Lura and Sara Tavares, then you'll want to add Carmen Souza's Esse e nha Cabo Verde to your collection. And pay attention to the songbirds because it turns out they were right after all. Next time someone says life is for the birds, I will agree. What a life!

read at: http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20060824193903472

This review also feature in Patty-Lynne Herlevi website
http://www.geocities.com/pherlevi/CCdivas.htm - Divine Divas page

Patty - Lynne Herlevi website - Cranky Crow Whole Music is a wonderfull resorce for those who love quality music and truly belive in the healing power of it.
Don't forget to visit and if possible suport this project:
http://www.geocities.com/pherlevi/CCHOME.htm

USA - SMOTHER MAGAZINE REVIEW by J-Sin

EDITOR PICK
Meaning “This is my Cape Verde”, Carmen Souza’s album lands smack in the middle of Latin rhythms and pop melodies. Her enchanting vocals marry soft harmonies and a rich sense of culture. But the percussion almost steals the show with its ambient rhythms and hand drumming. You hear hints of African traditional music in the percussion as well, though there is still a distinct Latin vibe going on as well. Truly peerless, Souza should be on the tip of everyone’s tongue when they discuss this year’s best world music albums.
J-SIN
Read at: http://www.smother.net/reviews/world.php3?ID=603

RUSSIA - MUSIC BOX MAGAZINE REVIEW by

CARMEN SOUZA (Cape – Verde – Portugal)
Одна из самых больших надежд Мировой Музыки. Кармен совершенно по-новому объединила Cape Verde, afro и crossover. Начав свою музыкальную карьеру как бэк-вокалистка THEO PAS’CAL, Кармен получила признание как самостоятельный артист в 2005-м году, после выступления на знаковом фестивале WOMAD в Англии. «Её голос нашептывает песни, по которым мы так истосковались, хотя никогда их раньше не слышали. Несмотря на то, что её песни одеты в наряды соула и афро-джаза, понимание того, что это Cape Verde, приходит с первыми же звуками». (Из отзыва земляков после концерта.)

One of the greatest hopes of World Music. Carmen absolutely in a new fashion has united Cape Verde, afro and crossover. Having begun the musical career as vocalist THEO PAS'CAL, Carmen was recognized as the independent artist in 2005 year, after performance at sign festival WOMAD in England. « Its voice whispers songs on which we so have yearned though never them heard earlier. In spite of the fact that its songs are dressed in orders soul and jazz, you can understand that it is Cape Verde, in the first sounds ». (From a response of fellow countrymen after a concert.)
http://www.musicbox.su/info/394.html

More concerts in Canada

Carmen Souza concert at
SMALL WORLD SUMMER FESTIVAL at LULA LOUNGE live report

After her North American debut success at Major Festival Toronto Afrofest, Carmen was embraced by a full house audience at Lula Lounge, consider one of the best world music venues in Toronto. Carmen and her band hypnotized and conquered the public from the first to the last song with a great concert, that also was a surprise for a lot of the Cape verdians present:" I was waiting for a traditional Coladeira and was mesmerized by the richness carmen added to the traditional cape verdian rhythms, she 's really rising the standarts of Cape verdian music creating her own sound that is also a new cape verdian and Lusophone sound...».
Carmen invited to play with her at this concert, once again, top Canadian musicians, on Drums and percussion Rick Lazar voted for several years the percussionist of the year, in Canada, and member of Montuno Police, one of the oldest and best Jazz / fusion bands in Canada. www.montunopolice.com/shadrach.html. Also pianist Jeremy Ledbetter member of Latin-Jazz Canadian band CANE FIRE - www.canefire.ca - and one of the youngest and most talented pianist/composers/producers in the canadian latin-jazz scene.

Following her sucess at Afrofest, Carmen will take the stage again this week with 2 concerts in Toronto.
The first will happen in the 19th July at Ciao Edie a small and intimate venue but very known for showcasing talents in Toronto. The last will happen on the 21st July at Lula Lounge, this will be a fundraiser night for the proposed Dundas West BIA - featuring also Brazilian singer Luanda Jones and Guiomar Campbell's Parabolica.

19th July - Ciao Edie - 489 college street
21st July - Lula Lounge -1585 Dundas St. West- 416.588.0307

Also on Friday, 21st July you will be able to hear Carmen Souza interview live at Gabriel Osson world music radio program-Mondomuse on CHOQ 105,1 FM, from 6pm to 8pm. She will also perform live 3 songs from her album "Ess e nha Cabo Verde" in a total acustic set....not to lose!!!

Carmen Souza at Toronto Afrofest 2006

Afrofest 2006 was again a total sucess and Carmen Souza gave her contribute to it!
She was the best selling artist of the hole Festival and was also the first Cape-Verdian singer to perform at this great Festival, the biggest African in North America . Beside Theo Pas´cal on bass/Percussion and Orlanda Guilande on backvocals/Percussion, Carmen invited two top canadian musicians from Toronto to play with her, the jazz musicians Trevor Yearwood on Drums and pianist Robi Botos that already achived the first prize for 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival's solo piano competition, in 2005 the award at the 32nd International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) conference in Long Beach, California, Best Soloist prize at the 2005 International Jazz Hoolieart Competition in Belgium and in 2006 he was nominated for a JUNO award (Canadian Grammys), and "Keyboardist Of The Year" award at the National Jazz Awards. www.robibotos.com

Carmen Souza LIVE REVIEW at thelivemusicreport.com
July 8, 2006 • Queenspark • Toronto
Carmen Souza at AfrofestReport by David Fujino Photo by Roger Humbert
The scope of African music is growing because of artists like Carmen Souza.
She's searching for new sounds.
Born in Portugal to a Cape Verdean family, the singer/composer sang simply this afternoon about the struggles of people in society and her hopes for a better future.
The six tunes were played at a medium slow to medium tempo, but they were constantly invigorated and pushed along by Theo Pas'cal's upfront, funky electric bass.
Meanwhile, pianist Robi Botos was applauded for his consistently sparkling solos. Orlanda Guilande shone both as a capable backup vocalist and stirring hand drummer. And Travis Yearwood's steady jazz kit drumming completed the group's total sound.
The sound was that of jazz and fusion. Two-beat, punctuating bass lines ... an electronic wash and glitter of chords ... and Carmen's voice above a steady and detailed rhythm.
It was clear that her ambition is to move from a folkloric into a more instrumental-based sound, but Carmen's mild-mannered singing was frequently dominated by the sheer energy and inventiveness of her bandmates.
Carmen Souza
After she spoke about the love and peace that children bring to this world, Carmen and her musicians ended the set with a tender, slow pulsing tune.
Carmen Souza's music, really, is about hope and optimism.
This makes it a true gift.
Carmen Souza – voice and pianoOrlanda Guilande – backup vocals and percussionTheo Pas'cal – electric bass Robi Botos – piano and keysTravis Yearwood – drums
www.thelivemusicreport.com/events/afroFest06/carmenSouza.html

AFROFEST REVIEW BY Gabriel H. Osson
Carmen Souza

Une nouvelle voix dans le firmament Cap Verdien

Quand Carmen Sousa commence à chanter, les anges l’accompagnent. J’ai eu le plaisir d’écouter la performance de Carmen Sousa à l’Afrofest 2006 et je fus enchanté dès les premières notes. Elle apporte dans ses bagages l’héritage du Cap Vert qu’elle mélange et manipule à sa façon pour nous transmettre une nouvelle musique aux accents Soul, Jazzé par bout et toujours unique.
Son style s’éloigne de la lignée de Césaria Evora, qui reste toujours le gabarit des chanteurs et chanteuses de cette île, et c’est de bon augure. Son style est unique et sa présentation très intime, comme si nous étions invités dans son salon.
Accompagné de son piano, du réputé bassiste portugais Theo Pas’cal et de la vocaliste Orlanda, elle a su captivé son audience dès le début de sa présentation par sa voix juste et ses mélodies touchantes. Elle a gardé son audience rivée jusqu'à la fin de sa présentation toute en douceur.
Elle chante bien sûr son pays, sur son album ‘Ess nha Cabo Verde’, mais aussi d’autres préoccupations personnelles où ressort ses croyances et sa spiritualité qui trouvent échos dans sa musique tel ‘Nha Deuss’, mon dieu.
Une chanteuse à découvrir, à apprécier et qui va devenir mâture dans les prochaines années, après tout Carmen Sousa n’a que 25 ans et a tout le temps devant elle.

Gabriel H.Osson

Mondomuse,
CHOQ FM 105,1
Un tour du monde en 120 minutes
mondomuse@hotmail.com

Carmen Souza Canada TOUR

"...Her velvety voice filled the intimate venue and hipnotised the audience."
"Carmen's whistful music is somewhere between jazz, folk, and Africa..."
"...Carmen creates her own special soothing sounds of Cape Verde/roots/jazz.Born a generation away from the shores of the islands Carmen (Vocals, guitar, keyboards) reaches deep into her spirit, her roots, to compose lyrics of profound sincerity and freshness...Soothing and stimulating for the mind as well as the body."


Carmen will make her North America debut with 3 concerts in major festivals in July and August.
The first concert will happen in 8 July-3pm, at Toronto’s 18th annual AFROFEST main stage, whish is a celebration of African music and culture. This festival, the bigest African music and culture event in North America, reunite thousands in the green splendour of Toronto’s Queen's Park to see and hear traditional and contemporary styles by dozens of different African performing groups along with top international touring acts. This year’s main stage performers include Guinea’s ‘golden voice’ Sekouba Bambino, Rwandan star Jean Paul Samputu, Juno award winners African Guitar Summit, Malian kora master Mamadou Diabate, Cameroonian songstress Muna Mingole, Cape Verde’s Carmen Souza, Halifax based Afro pop sensation Afro Musica, Mali’s Tapa Diarra with Kassoum Diamoutene , the Ijo Vudu African Dance Company, from Nigeria, Ghana’s Ras Israel, Danny from Eritrea, Moroccan Mel M’barat, Sudan’s Hadi Ahmed and more.
Carmen Souza will also be doing a workshop on Cape Verdian music at Baobab Tree Stage at 5:00 pm in the same day of her performance.
www.musicafrica.org

The second concert will happen at SMALL WORLD MUSIC SUMMER FESTIVAL: GLOBAL CAFÉ in 21 July-8.30pm at Lula Lounge in Toronto. Now in its third year, the annual Global Café program brings to the stage a snapshot of the exciting developments in today's international music scene.
www.smallworldmusic.com
www.lula.ca

The third concert just confirmed will happen in 12 August at AFRIKA DEY FESTIVAL in Calgary-Alberta.
This festival is now celebrating 15 years of bringing the best emerging and established artists from Canada and Abroad. The main artists this year will be Salif keita.
www.afrikadey.com

WICKBOURNE CENTER CONCERT REVIEW by John Warr - www.totallyradio.com

"Another hot sunny day in bustling Brighton and the opportunity of a trip to the lazy beach town of Littlehampton to see Carmen Souza (from Portugal but of Cabo Verdean descent) playing a local show at the Wickbourne Centre is too good to miss. Finally, after over a year of listening to her gentle smiling voice and soulful jazz, I get to see how the band create that sea of sound. Listening to a band live, in my book, is the genuine thing and a true test of the artist's creativity. Carmen's manner is welcoming and her voice has a delicate warmth and a subtle vibrato, she plays keyboards and guitar but almost so you wouldnt notice. She is joined by her producer and co-writer Theo Pas'cal on bass, Orlanda Guilande as backing vocalist and percussionist, and Paulo Sergio on keyboards. Its Portuguese Day in Littlehampton and so the Portuguese community (and there is one) and other friendly locals have turned out. My pal and I suspect they're not sure whats in store and might have wanted Fado or some Brazilian dance music but there is a respectful hush for Carmen whose music is probably unknown to them. Like a gentle sea breeze, almost imperceptible at first, the music opens with Carmens voice and when Orlanda starts to sing, using her voice as a musical instrument as one might expect from an artist like Flora Purim, I am spellbound. Orlanda's voice control is profound and its strength no doubt comes from her professional background, but genuinely complements Carmen's without overpowering it and their harmonies are very beautiful. Following their live performance at Womad, Carmen has introduced more Cabo Verdean and African elements to her new 'Special Roots' edition which is very welcome, and favourites like Mar na Corazon show how the song has developed. With Orlanda's African chants on Maçalla (from Theo Pas'cal's own album and based on a Mozambican theme) the dancing starts. On stage the imaginative playing and interaction of Theo on bass and Paulo on keyboards gives the evening a jazzier dimension and, as the second set draws to a close, Carmen sings one of my favourite songs of the album "S. Anton meou comde". Just the two voices in harmony, a clay pot as bass, and a touch of guitar, and the melody unfolds - worth waiting for. This band work and live together as a family and you can feel that in the way they play. Carmen's whistful music is somewhere between jazz, folk, and Africa. Seek out "Ess ê nha Cabo Verde: Special Roots Edition" CD, but next time she is around your neighbourhood, get out to see her - rain or shine."

Wickbourne Center Concert review
by Marilyn Pannett at Littlehampton Gazette
Spring 2006 has been so long and chilly it seemed that summer would never arrive. But Saturday 10th June turned out to be the first seriously hot evening of the year which was perfect timing for the Roots around the World team. Following Carmen Souza’s success at Womad 2005 it was a coup to have her play at the Wickborne Centre Littlehampton as part of the celebrations of Portugal Day.

Carmen creates her own special soothing sounds of Cape Verde/roots/jazz.
Born a generation away from the shores of the islands Carmen (Vocals, guitar, keyboards) reaches deep into her spirit, her roots, to compose lyrics of profound sincerity and freshness. Orlanda Guilande (Backing vocals, African drum) has a voice that demonstrates power and yet gentle restraint. Clearly sharing a special sister-ship with Carmen, they weave harmonies of clear purity and balance. Paulo Sergio (keyboards) augments the jazz/rhythm element of this talented group of friends. Theo Pas’cal’s (Bass, double bass, keyboards, Afro jazz guitars and percussion) musical workmanship guided the set through a satisfying array of complex rhythms such as Batuque, kilampanga, funana and mourna (blues).

What better for a hot, hot night, some cool almost baptismal sounds with a good strong intellectually satisfying musical base. Soothing and stimulating for the mind as well as the body.

Buy the cd at : www.capeverdeinlondon.co.uk

MOMO'S CONCERT REVIEW
By Michael Mills on capeverdeinlondon.co.uk

I asked for sun to greet Carmen's arrival in the UK and after 3 weeks of non stop rain, our prayers were answered. Since last weekend London has been baking in temperatures just below 30C. People were sprawled outside the bars and pubs that are on every street and corner. On Wednesday night, Momo's on Heddon Street, where Carmen Souza was to perform was no different. For this reason, there were not as many people watching Carmen's performance as there were to see Nancy Vieira and Sarah Tavares at the same venue, earlier in the year. But since Momo's Kemia is a dark, basement bar it was not surprising. But those who did not make it downstairs missed a night of great music and the beautiful smile of Carmen Souza. Her velvety voice filled the intimate venue and hipnotised the audience.
The multi-talented Carmen, changing from keyboard to guitar and back again, performed songs from her excellent recently released album, 'Ess ê nha Cabo Verde: Special Roots Edition.' She was joined on stage by her producer Theo Pas'cal on bass, with Paulo Sérgio on piano and Orlanda Guilande on backvocals and percussion. Orlanda's voice excellently complimented that of Carmen's.
If I were to categorise the style of music I would say that it was probably afro/jazz. Carmen Souza is a highly talented musician who will definitely have a great following. I think she would go down very well at one of London's more music orientated venues, such as the Jazz Cafe or Pizza in the Park. I hope she returns soon to these shores, because she has definitely found a new fan. At the end of the performance, cries of 'encore, encore!' were heard from the audience, so I am obviousy not the only one..."

Carmen Souza TOUR'S 2006

Carmen Souza is set up to start her UK TOUR with a concert in London at MOMO'S on the 7th of June. This whole tour will be played in a very intimate and at the same time uplifting environment that will present to you a complete new, original and unique approach to the Creole traditions.
Carmen Souza, author of all her song lyrics and musician, takes traditional Capeverdean beats like Batuku, Kola San Djon, Morna, Funana, Coladeira and other African music towards a more contemporary direction adding Jazz influences to the sound, also.

On stage she will be accompanied by Theo Pas'cal, her producer and also the composer of her songs, one of Portugal's greatest Afro/jazz bass players, also playing bass drums, Paulo Sérgio on piano and Orlanda Guilande on backvocals and percussion.

Hear and Buy her Cd at internet shop: http://www.capeverdeinlondon.co.uk , http://carmensouza.calabashmusic.com

Both Carmen Souza 'Ess ê nha Cabo Verde' first edition released in July 2005, and Special roots edition, featuring 6 new arrangements and 5 new songs, released in first hand for the Uk public during her tour, will be available to buy at all concerts at a special promotional price.

You can listen to her interview with James Sloan at his Delta Radio Show "The Big drive home" and also with John Warr at Juice radio on Sunday 11, 4-6pm .

Carmen is also confirmed to play at TORONTO AFROFEST. Afrofest is the largest single gathering of Africans in Canada and the longest running annual festival of African Music in North America .The festival has featured many of the greatest stars of Africa.
http://www.musicafrica.org/

Carmen will be in North America between the 3rd of July and the 6th of August...other dates will be confirmed soon.

Check this blog for new and updated photos on Carmen Uk Concerts.

CARMEN SOUZA UK TOUR 2006

One year after Carmen Souza live debut at Womad festival by the hand of BBC3 at "World on your street stage", Carmen returns to Uk for her first Tour.
Dates:
7th June -London- Momo's -21h30- Free entrance
8th June - Uley - Prema Arts Centre - 20h00
www.prema.demon.co.uk
9th June - Farnham-FarnhamMaltings-20h00
www.farnhammaltings.co.uk
10th June- Littlehampton - Wickbourne Centre - 20h00 - Free
11th June - Catholic Church Hall - Littlehampton

This Tour will also promote the release in Uk of "Ess ê nha Cabo Verde" Special Roots edition that feature 6 new arrangements and 5 new songs.


This album line-up is:
1- Mar na Coraçon
2- Nôs Raiz
3-Nha Deus
4-S'm pudesse falá
5-Tristeza(D'vida)
6-Bonança
7-Nha Vida, Nha flôr
8- Esperança e consôl
9- Vaidade ê leviandade
10-S.Anton m'crê conchê
11-Por tud qui bô ê

In this special edition, totally inspired by the Womad intimate concert, we can find songs from the previous edition re-arranged in a more acoustic environment and 5 new songs, in the majority played only with guitar, piano, percussions and bass, where you can find several African and Cape Verdian traditions rhythms like batuke, Funana, Kola S.Djon, etc, impeccably blended with Jazz/Fusion/Soul and contemporary influences.
Theo Pas'cal produces, composes and plays almost every instruments and Carmen besides composing all the lyrics also plays piano and guitar. Orlanda Guilande in the backvocals and Tim Pascoal - www.timpascoal.com -, in the song "S.Anton m'crê conchê", are also special participations in this album.

'Ess ê nha Cabo Verde- Special Roots edition' review
by Marilyn Pannett-Littlehampton Gazette, 27/06/2006
"Carmen Souza’s latest album, ‘Ess ê Nha Cabo Verde’ resonates with the rhythms of Cabo Verde as does a sea-shell held to the ear.
Born a generation away from the shores of the islands Carmen (Vocals, guitar, keyboards) reaches deep into her spirit, her roots, to compose lyrics of profound sincerity and freshness.

Orlanda Guilande (Backing vocals, African drum/percussion) has a voice that demonstrates power and yet gentle restraint. Clearly sharing a special sister-ship with Carmen, they weave a harmony of clear purity and balance.

‘Ess ê Nha Cabo Verde’ is composed, produced and arranged by Carmen’s mentor Theo Pas’cal (Bass, double bass, keyboards, Afro jazz guitars and percussion). His intelligent musical workmanship guides the tracks through a satisfying array of complex rhythms. The gentle mixed skipping of batuque and kilampanga is heard in the opening track ‘Mar na Corazon’ (Sea in my Heart). The effect envelopes the senses in such sweet, sad elemental reflections and draws the listener away to a personal musical baptism.
‘Nha Vida Nha Flor’ (track 7) creates a distinctive sound with cleverly mixed funana ( fast risqué dancing beat) with mourna (blues). ‘Esperanca e Consol’ (track 8) uses a mixture of Cuban rhythms, coladeira and salsa clave.

This album creates a unique mix of Cape Verde/roots/jazz and needs make no apology to any purist that need to identify recognisable traditions. The result of this collaboration of irrefutable musical expertise and smooth wholesome harmonies has produced a perfect pearl."

Digital distribution for Carmen Souza album

Carmen Souza debut album was included in the agreement sign by Carmen label and the french digital label- Believe - www.believe.fr. This agreement gives Believe, exclusivity on digital distribution rights of Carmen Souza Music. Soon, her record will be available in MP3 in digital stores like iTunes Europa, VirginMega, FnacMusic, Yahoo Music!Europa, MSN Music Europa, Napster Europe, Orange, and many others.

Carmen song at Russian label Manas Records compilation

The song "Tristeza (di vida)" will be included in a World Ethnic music compilation made by Russian Label Manas Records. The compilation will be distribuited with the 2 Top Russian/Moscow Music Magazines " Territory of Culture" and "Music Box". These magazines are delivered to major music distribution companies, record labels, promo agencies, producers, musicians and journalists.

Carmen Souza in the National TV Program "Latitudes"

Carmen Souza was recently interviewed for the national TV program "Latitudes". This was a report done between a concert recorded in Lisbon and her natural environment in Nazare where she lives, in which you can get to know the artist better.
This program will be broadcasted:
- 27 of January, friday at 5.30 pm, local time, at Channel RTP Africa;
- 28 of January, sunday at 11.00 am, local time, at channel RTP Internacional;
- 04 of Fevereiro, sunday at 3.00 pm, local time, at channel RTP Açores.

Carmen Souza in Sodade Magazine

In the beginning of 2006, the second issue of the american capeverdean culture magazine " Sodade", was finally out.
In this exciting number Carmen had some attention with a great article written about her, that like jornalist Osvaldo dos Reis said : "...Carmen Souza, an upcoming new singer whose innovative music will simply charm and conquer you. "

"As Cape Verde cements itself into the world music scene with its diverse styles like, morna, coladera funana, batuku, deeply rooted rhythms and styles form across the archipelago Carmen Souza still felt like the game could use a few more. In dives the ambitious 24-year-old with her own vision, following an unlikely though immensely crafty path with enormous capability of reaching further into the (main) stream.
Though she is not hesitant to admit that she's not a purist or traditionalist, Carmen, who was born in Portugal, is quite familiar with the music of her forefathers and the ever-present sodade (longing; nostalgia) shared by Capeverdeans around the world. Her persistance, combined with a continuous willingness to learn and grow artistically, mixed in with her whispery vocals over soulful uplifting music all led to a brilliantly mastered album.

" Ess ê nha Cabo verde", (This is my Cape Verde) so compelling it crosses language barriers to reach even those with a certain refined taste for music.
Like many other artists of her caliber though, the singer, musician and composer will not give in to any particular category or genre, and for the purposes of the label-crazed world alone, she calls her music " Cape Verde/jazz/fusion," something that may ring fairly new to Capeverdeans and also quench the thirst of those who carry the sense of natural inventiveness of the music of the islands.
"I could make a whole different kind of music but then I wouldn't be true to myself and to what I know and experience", says Carmen of the direction she has taken with her 2005 debut, which has landed her on stages in North America, Canada and Various European Countries, including London's major annual world music summer festival WOMAD 2005.
A loyal churchgoer and avid listener of jazz, gospel and soul, not to omit afro/jazz/fusion all on full display, Carmen seductively bares her soul in such rhythmical fashion while smoothly transporting listeners from one fascinating journey to another: "Mostly what goes to my mind is which 'colors' can I give to the compositions. It depends on the mood, not that I'm a moody person, but as you can hear in the album, it's mainly wishes, joys, sadness and nowadays problems," Carmen articulates, alluding to her writing techniques which also include playing the guitar and keyboard.
With a full sponsorship from RDP Africa, Portugal's only world/afro radio station, Carmen's critically acclaimed 10 track solo, produced under label TheOo TheZz Records, shows hints of traditional sounds of Africa and Cape Verde ( Batuku, Kola san Djon and Morna), impeccably blended with the Western Jazz/Acoustic soul and other modern influences. Not surprisingly, " Ess ê nha Cabo Verde", entirely interpreted in Capeverdean Creole, has been distributed throughout most of europe, from Spain, Poland, to Russia, UK as well as the United States and Cape Verde.
All of that undoubtedly comes from with being gifted, but also being taken as protégée by such an extraordinary musician/bassist/producer like Theo Pas'cal, whom Carmen understandably credits for the entire career thus far. " The fact that I had already worked in the past with other capeverdean/African musicians and had a strong influence of African rhythms in my own music made the process even easier," Pas'cal recollects, pinpointing Carmen's determination to preserve her own personal musical influences in her work from the very beginning.
Not exactly a newcomer to the music business, Carmen, once a member of the gospel group Shout!, met the producer when she decided to make a career for herself at 17 years old, becomming a background singer of the bands Quamundo's and Funky Messengers with whom she has been touring since 2001. She had previously written for and collaborated with other artists, namely her producer Pas'cal, but with this album which she calls a pure reflection of her own interpretation of Cape Verde, Carmen also timely portrays the evolution of this music throughout the years.
Wether she is likely to be ranked amongst other renowned artists such as Luis Morais, Ildo Lobo or Cesaria Evora whom she admires for being able to take their music across country borderd, Carmen's indomitable dive into her own Cape Verde/jazz/fusion has taught her one valuable lesson she will always cherish: "the reactions to the same music are so different from Portugal to England to Macau... but the warmth and acceptance is the same". Her music has been so well-accepted that Carmen is already preparing a special Roots edition of " Ess ê nha Cabo Verde", to which she will add more roots-based arrangements on six tracks and four new songs, to be released this year in England.
Still, Carmen Souza is really only getting started and while other young Capeverdean artists have reached remarkable levels musically, Pas'cal foresees something a bit less similar in Carmen's career: " I believe that each artist has his/her artistic individuality so you never have two alike. For me her album is unique. I think that she will reach different platforms, mostly because her music has other elements that can appeal to a different audience with its freshness, although we didn't think of that when making the songs."

January 2006, USA, by Nuria Chantre

Release of the album in Cape Verde

The album “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde" was finally released in Cape Verde in the last week of December 2005. The acceptance of the critics couldn’t be better and the songs are already playing throughout the Cape Verdean Radios.
Article from the newspaper A Semana online:The exotic Cape Verde from Carmen Souza24-12-05“

Ess ê nha Cabo Verde”, from the luso-cape-verdean Carmen Souza finally hits the national market, exactly 3 months after the very acclaimed, by the international critics, debut .
An album of fusions, where the small Cape Verde sovereignly emerges in the voice, the Creole and the poetry of Carmen Souza. Carmen Souza will be doing a tour through Cape Verde next year, to present the album “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde” live. A Cd that from the first song “ Bonança” to the last song “ Vida ê pa Celebrá” reveals a delicate soprano voice, that seems more like a whisper in the ear, in a total contrast with the daring arrangements of soul, funky, and afro-jazz” from the north American producer Theo Pas’cal. If there were any doubts about the talent of the young Carmen, the recent inclusion of one of the songs of the album - “Tristeza (d' vida)” – in the “Peermusic” collection (edited in France), together with songs from Natalia Imbruglia, from the boys band West life and the lendarian Gipsy Kings, would set those doubts apart. Besides that, Carmen Souza, that has presented live the “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde” album in several concerts, has already a booked tour through the United Kingdom, in 2006. After all, it was in the land of your Magesty that Carmen Souza collected the praises of the critics, after performing in the Womad 2005, in the city of Reading, in August. There, Carmen sold out all the cds of the album “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde” available in the festival. We can see that there is a sucessfull carreer ahead for this young singer, in the iluminated path of Sara Tavares, Lura and Sofia Barbosa.
http://www.asemana.cv/article.php3?id_article=14399

Carmen in International Peermusic Compilation

The song "Tristeza (di life)" of Carmen Souza debut album, was chosen for a compilation of several artists, with different musical styles, from countries as Spain, France, Uk, Germany and Sweden. Between them are artists like Natalia Imbruglia, Westlife, Gypsy Kings, David Esposito, Habana Abierta, Faultime feat Chris Martin, Veronica Piris, Annett Louisan, etc. This record was compiled by Fabien Bonnin of Peermusic France and will be distributed within producers of cinema, television and Advertising agencies in Europe, Brazil, USA and Canada.

Carmen Souza
Dinner/Concert – 9th of December Grafitti Café

To finish this year in the best way, Carmen Souza invites everyone to taste an afro-mix dinner, in the Bar/Restaurant of the percussionist Mick Trovoada, with the sound of the relaxing songs from her debut album.
In this roots concert she will be accompanied by Theo Pas’cal on bass and double bass, Mick Trovoada on percussion, Orlanda Guilande in back vocals and little percussions, Paulo Sergio on Piano and Ivo Costa on drums.

After her presence in the Womex trade fair in Newcastle - Uk, many surprises are awaited in 2006…we can start to reveal some now:

- After Portugal, Spain, Cape Verde, Poland, Russia, USA, a special “Roots” Edition of the album “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde” will be released in the English market. This album will have a more acoustic environment, in a Cape Verde/Jazz/ Roots style and it will be constituted by 6 re-arranged songs and 5 new songs. It will be released during Carmen Souza first UK Tour in June Next year;

- A tour will be made in UK, Canada and USA in Spring/Summer of 2006.More details will be released soon.

Don’t Forget....
Dinner/Concert – Graffiti Café
10 euros (Dinner+Concert)
20h/21.45 - Dinner
22h - Concert
To book a table -
916997191 or 21 937 19 48
ttproduktions@hotmail.com
Map of theVenue:
http://grafitticafe.com/v-web/portal/73/modules.php?name=Localizacao
Graffiti Site:
http://grafitticafe.com/v-web/portal/73/index.php

Carmen Souza Cd at Cape Verdian and Polish Market

»»We are signing a exclusive distribuition deal for all Cape-Verdian islands of Carmen Souza "Ess ê nha Cabo Verde" album with the best Record Label in Cape Verde - Harmonia. The Records soon will be available at Cape Verde Record Shops and a Promotion Tour is being set up. http://www.harmonia.cv

»» Soon Carmen album will also be available online at Polish Market trought the distribuiter Shop GIGI - http://www.gigicd.com . A National Tour is also being prepared to promote the album and then cd's will be available countrywide.

Carmen Souza News

-After the presentation of the acoustic version of her show, Carmen felt incited to record in studio the versions of the acoustic show…she is in studio since the beginning of the month recording some of the songs under the production of Theo Pas’cal. Soon they will be released to the publics audition.
-The song “Bonança “ is in a German Radio Play list dRadio.com in the “Deutslandradio Kultur” program. One more radio play list conquered after radios in Portugal, UK, France, Spain, Poland and USA.
-In the next edition of the American magazine “Sodade” dedicated to the capeverdean culture spread around the world, there will be an interview about Carmen Souza… the same will be published here in this blog, don’t miss it.
- Carmen Souza album is now available trough a internet shop in Russia:
http://www.transylvania.ru/catalog/souza_carmen/

Carmen Souza in the Cape Verdean Magazine "A Semana"

By Teresa Sofia Fortes
Carmen Souza enchants with “ Ess ê nha Cabo Verde”
Spectacular, Profound and Beautiful. These are only some of the qualities which listeners of the whole world witness “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde”, the first solo album from Carmen Souza. In this debut album, the Lisbon born and raised with cape verdean parents doesn’t only sing her compositions in a very own and personal interpretation of the cape verdean sounds but she also mixes sonorities with diverse contemporary influences.
Invited by the English radio BBC3 (specialized in world music) to play in the mythical Womad Festival 2005, in Reading, UK, Carmen Souza conquered the audience in such a way, as the UK Press wrote, that her albums sold out in the festival. Such success is originated from a life that since the beginning was brought up in the musical waves.
Daughter of a cargo ship worker, as a child, Carmen Souza and her Father would celebrate his return with cape verdean songs that he would play in the guitar. When she was 14 years old Carmen Souza starts singing in the church choir, which opened the door for her first professional debut, in 1999, as a singer of the Gospel group Shout, the same in which participated Sara Tavares and Sofia Barbosa.
Her voice called the attention of Theo Pas’cal, producer and musical director of Shout, that invited her to be part of Quamundo’s and Funky Messengers with whom she toured between 2001 and 2003 as a back vocal and after as main vocalist.Now, after participating in the recording albums of Shout!, Funky Messengers (2003), Carmen Souza, adventures alone in this “ Ess ê nha Cabo Verde”, under the orchestral command of Theo Pas’cal. With 10 songs, in which arise “ Mar na coraçon”, “ Nha Deus”, “ Tristeza (d’vida)” and “Nha Praia”, the album has, as the specialized criticists say, an impeccable arrangement (with a combination of genres like batuco, morna and Kola sanjon and other african rhythms with jazz) that makes the perfect marriage with the warm soft and whispering voice of Carmen Souza.

Carmen Souza in the International Market

Following the excellent reactions to the debut album of Carmen “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde”, and after the national market, I can say that this album will be released in the Spanish market through the label IBERAUTOR in the week of 25/10 /2005. In the North American market through the label CALABASH MUSIC, the album is already available online, at the link http://carmensouza.calabashmusic.com.
In the Spain beside shops you will be able to buy the Cd also at the site -http://www.factoriautor.com/ .
The following markets will be Cape Verde, England, France and much more…stay in tune for more news….

Carmen Souza in the site of Womad.org

The biography of Carmen Souza written by Andy Morgan one of the journalists of BBC3, as the biography of all the artists that played in this festival, is in the site of the mythic Festival organization of the artist Peter Gabriel, Womad.org
You can see it at http://womad.org/?artist_id=1965

Carmen Souza at Womad "World on your Street Stage"

Carmen Souza in WOMAD - Reading - UK
Carmen Souza was invited by the World Music radio BBC3 in London to present a special acoustic and intimate concert in one of the stages of the WOMAD Festival in Reading-Rivermead-UK. This festival organized by the prestigiate Peter Gabriel is one of the biggest World Music festivals of the world-http://www.womad.org.
Carmen performed in the 31st of July, the last day of the Festival, in the "World on your street" stage. The tickets to this day, as well as for the whole weekend where all sold out, which pronounced a good audience. And what a good audience it was, the concert was very well accepted, people gathered around the stage and listened calmly to a good morning start as it was classified by some of the listeners. The line up to this concert was: Carmen Souza in lead voice and guitar, Theo Pas'cal in voice and bass, Orlanda Guilande in voice and little percussions and Mick Trovoada in percussions.
The whole concert was recorded to be used in BBC3 radio programs and it’s available for audition in the BBC 3 site for a whole year. In this site you can also see the photos of the live performance, read Carmen’s interview and leave your comments.



To read her BBC3 interview:
www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/womad2005/woys_carmensouza_int.shtml
To see photos and to hear the live concert go to:BBC 3 Press Release: www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/womad2005/woys_carmensouza.shtml

What has been said about "Ess ê nha Cabo Verde"

In the american web site CVMUSICWORLD.COM By Osvaldo dos Reis:
“Ess Ê Nha Cabo Verde,” Sumptuous And Melancholic Debut From Carmen SouzaSinger/songwriter Carmen Souza is gaining wide acclaim since the release of her seductive, sensual and sharp “Ess ê Nha Cabo Verde,” an album, which reflects the evolution of Capeverdean music and blends perfectly into the contemporary/soul backdrop.“Ess ê Nha Cabo Verde,” an assemblage of global sounds and rhythms, introduces rich instrumentation and evocative arrangements that merge impeccably with Carmen’s soft, soothing, and whispery voice.Superbly crafted by bassist/producer Theo Pas’cal, “Ess ê Nha Cabo Verde” has elements of traditional Capeverdean (Batuku, Kola San Djon, and morna) and African sounds, strongly cemented with Western Jazz/acoustic soul and contemporary influences, thus revitalizing appreciably her repertoire.Interpreted with enthusiasm and groovy aptitude, this record showcases Carmen’s excellent songwriting chops, mainly through her storytelling style drawn from her life experience, which is her way of giving value to her country’s tradition and culture.A Native of Lisbon, Portugal, this daughter of Capeverdean parents breezes confidently, but always with melancholia, through every song smoothly and purely, backed up by an assortment of harmonious instruments, especially string guitar and percussions. For the most part the cuts are remarkable but the ones to pay attention closely are “Bonança,” “Mar na Corazon,” “Nha Deus,” “Nha Praia,” and “Tristeza (d’Vida).”“Ess ê Nha Cabo Verde,” a 10-track album, is an impressive introduction to a promising young and talented singer, who first established herself as background singer of the bands Quamundo’s and Funky Messengers with whom she has been touring since 2001.It's so easy to like this album, though some people might find this “marriage” (the Kriolu language and the Western music) somewhat unorthodox.
www.cvmusicworld.com/news_articles/templates/editors_pick.aspx?articleid=476&zoneid=8

In the blog - lantuna.blogspot.com by Matilde Dias - Cape Verdian Television
Diasporize Carmen Souza
It’s a voice that whispers in the ear songs that we miss, without ever have listened to them. The identification is immediate, as it is cape verdean music, but with a different approach, sort of soul/afro jazz. Morna, Cola, Batuk, make the sensing party and introduce Carmen Souza in the middle of the cape verdean artists that diasporize music from the archipelago.
The arthistical debut of Carmen couldn’t be better the album: “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde” with ten songs. Superbly arranged by the producer/bass player Theo Pas’cal, the album has traditional cape verdean elements and African sounds, strongly cemented with jazz and acoustic soul and influences, this way revitalizing her repertory, as CV Music World writes in an article that doesn’t spare commendations to the singer.
Carmen Souza, 24 years old, was born and raised in Portugal, in a familiar cape verdean environment, marked by music. The passion for music, and for the guitar in particular, was incited by her father, that returning home, after long months of work in the sea, would play for her. “He would spend 3 months of the year with his family. And when he returned, it was a joyful. We would celebrate it with music. That’s how he made me choose the guitar. I will do the same with my children" Says Carmen.
Carmen started singing in the church choir, at the age of 14. Later she would make part of the Afro Gospel Lusophonous Choir, a professional group. “I grew up in Portugal, but in a cape verdean environment, so I am very influenced by the music of the country of my parents, but also by the European rhythms, from soul and from jazz. I mixed all of that – it’s my own fusion. As an outsider that feels Cape Verde, but that truly finds there its origins".
The album was released in June and since then the singer has been doing several concerts in Portugal.
http://lantuna.blogspot.com/2005/09/diasporizando-carmen-souza.html

Portuguese Release of "Ess ê nha Cabo Verde"

The release was in the past 16th of June in B’leza, in a concert called AFRICA SOUL LOVERS that had as goal also the release of the second album of the producer/bass player Theo Pas’cal – Motive. This is a jointed concert that gather on stage Theo Pas'cal and Carmen Souza, two artists that have so much musical tastes in common and that have been working together for a while as musical partners.
The fact that they have exchanged participations in each other’s albums made the concert even more interesting, coherent and full of complicity.
The national release tour of “Ess ê nha Cabo Verde” will happen under the name of AFRICA SOUL LOVERS in a show made with songs of both artists.

AFRICA SOUL LOVERS DATES – Theo Pas’cal + Carmen Souza
16th of June - B’leza
25th of June – Fnac Cascais
26th of June – Fnac Colombo
28th of June – Fnac Almada
02nd of July – Santiago Alquimista
23rd of July – Fnac Gaia Shopping – Oporto
23rd of July – Fnac Norteshopping – Oporto
24th of July – Fnac Sta. Catarina – Oporto
28th of July – Almada Forum
31st of July Womad Festival – UK
13th of August – Fanc Algarve Shpping – Algarve
24th of September – Musidanças Festival – Santiago Alquimista

The Debut "ESS Ê NHA CABO VERDE"

Ess ê nha Cabo Verde (This is my Cape Verde) is, as the name says, her very own and personal interpretation of the cape verdean sounds, the African rhythms mixed with other fusion influences. Although being born in Portugal, running away from her cape verdean roots was never a wish from Carmen in the contrary her great challenge was to create a very own sound that in a harmonious way could gather Creole, the spirit of Sodade and the rhythms of Cape Verde, with the ones with whom she identified, with all her influences of the more contemporary music that is listened by someone that lived and grew up in Europe. In her list of musical tastes there are musicians so diverse such as Joe Zawinul, Erika Badu, Lauryn Hill, Yellow Jackets, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Steps ahead, Keith Jarret, Norah Jones, Diane Krall, Stevie Wonder and the new cape verdean artist generation such as, Lura, Nancy Vieira, Maria Alice, etc.

CARMEN SOUZA BIOGRAPHY

Carmen Souza was born in the 20th of May of 1981 in Lisbon within a christian family ,as a single child.Being daughter of capeverdian parents she was always surrounded by the tradition, music and costumes of Cape Verde. In Cape verde it is very usual for men to learn a musical instrument, and her family was no exception for that, her grandfather for instance was a violinist and her father is a guitar player, however they never assumed it professionally. Her Father and mother were early forced to immigrate to other countries in search of new opportunities. Her father travelled around the world as a s a sailor in cargo ships and her mother immigrated to Portugal where later they met and got married. Carmen was most of her childhood deprived of the company of her father due to the work he had as a sailor on sea but she remembers the time when he was at home and played the Cape Verdian melodies in the guitar for her.Being in a Christian family, church was since the beginning musical and spiritual sources, always present in her life. Her first musical experience was at the age of 14 singing in the church choir, and her professional debut happened in 1999 when she was chosen to sing in the well known and still the only reference of Gospel in Portugal, the choir Shout!.Almost immediately she caught the attention of Portuguese artists like – Lucia Moniz and Kika Santos that invited her to be part of their backvocal group. With whom she toured through the country, strongly contributing for her musical growth.Some time later recognizing the talent and promissing capacities of Carmen Souza, Theo Pas'cal, producer and musical director of the Gospel Choir Shout! invited her to make part of his label company TheOo TheZz, takingh over of the management and booking of the artist.With 20 years old, the decision of making music her way of life, brought a big deal of responsibility and after that she started developing a great interest in studying more about music and learning guitar.. Her father seeing her devotion passed to her his old Fender Guitar so that she could learn on his own instrument. This was a simbolic gesture that only gave her more will to persue her goal and daily struggle.Naturally she started working with Theo Pas’cal in his bands – Quamundo’s and Funky Messengers with whom she has made tours between 2001 and 2003 as back and lead singer. Between 2002-2003 she recorded - Shout! Human Faith, Funky Messengers and Theo Pas’cal- Motive albums where some of her lyrics were included.Carmen is constantly developing her musical capacity not only as a singer but also as a musician and composer. Her search for a personal sound that involves her more contemporary influences with her Cape Verde legacy is a challenge that she faces everyday.From this challenge was born her debut album "Ess ê nha Cabo Verde" this register counts on her Creole lyrics and the production, composition and instrumental execution of Theo Pas'cal. This album is like the name says, her very own interpretation of the Capeverdian sounds and rhythms blended with other contemporary influences of fusion music.
Carmen Souza Biography by Osvaldo dos Reis at CVMUSICWORL.COM:
http://www.cvmusicworld.com/news_articles/templates/artists.aspx?articleid=488&zoneid=3