Some artists speak across languages, defying the boundaries of style. Mariza is one of them, transforming Portugal’s beloved, bittersweet fado into pure artistry, distilled human emotion. Her remarkable skill and presence has led to command performances around the world, in some of its most prestigious concert halls. Yet this fame never stopped Mariza from continuing to push herself, as an artist, performer, torchbearer, and mentor to a new generation of striking artists.
Now, the fado icon is returning to the US and Canada for an extensive North American tour this spring. She will be performing pieces from her latest album, Mariza, inviting listeners into the intensity and intimacy of fado.
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Emotions of the Soul: Fado Icon Mariza Returns to North American Stages
Posted on February 16, 2019 by Joseph Timmons in Best Bets, Concerts, Concerts, events, Live Performance, news, Performance Locations, Performances, Performers, Special Events, Touring, Touring Now // 0 Comments
Some artists speak across languages, defying the boundaries of style. Mariza is one of them, transforming Portugal’s beloved, bittersweet fado into pure artistry, distilled human emotion. Her remarkable skill and presence has led to command performances around the world, in some of its most prestigious concert halls. Yet this fame never stopped Mariza from continuing to push herself, as an artist, performer, torchbearer, and mentor to a new generation of striking artists.
Now, the fado icon is returning to the US and Canada for an extensive North American tour this spring. She will be performing pieces from her latest album, Mariza, inviting listeners into the intensity and intimacy of fado.
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Though wildly successful, acclaim had not shifted the heart of Mariza’s work. “For me, the most important part of my work is to make good music. And for that, I look for good producers, musicians, composers and lyricists,” she remarks. “The transparency of my music means I sing my own truth.”
Her truth has many layers, all contributing to her unique artistic insights. Mariza was born in Mozambique, but moved with her family as a young girl to Lisbon’s Mouraria neighborhood, the cradle of fado and home turf for many of the style’s most popular singers. After singing everything from gospel to jazz, Mariza settled on fado, connecting deeply with the style born of longing and heartache.
She made it her own, paying tribute to fado legend Amália Rodrigues when the diva passed, launching her own iteration of the evergreen genre with a record-breaking debut album. She swiftly became the leading voice in New Fado and went on to release albums that sold millions worldwide. She became a hero of style at home, a symbol of Portuguese culture’s broad appeal and emotional transcendence. A darling of the international stage, she embarked on a rigorous touring schedule that took her to across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America.
Now on her seventh full-length recording, Mariza, she has discovered new facets to her voice and her creativity, tackling songs that speak to the nuance of experience. “After almost 20 years of recording, my voice gained some maturity with all the songs that I sung so far,” muses Mariza. “On this record, the lyrics I chose are also very mature. They convey histories of life, emotions from the soul.”
She’s also proven that she never rests on what’s easy and expected, penning her first lyrics. “For the first time I was able to sing a lyric written by me. It’s about an impossible love story,” she explains. “I discovered over the years that we all look for love. In many shapes and forms, that’s the truth, the truth of life for all human beings.”
Mariza’s soulful voice is coupled with razor-sharp sense of style and stage presence. “I never wanted the visual aspect of the show to be more important than the music itself. The music for me is the most important aspect when I’m on stage. But I also believe that the visual aspect, the scenario, plays a big part for concert goers.”
North American concert goers will get to savor the sights and lush sounds this spring. “It’s been a while since I did a coast to coast tour in the US,” smiles Mariza. “I’m very happy to come back to places that I missed and I’m very happy to show to all of you my new record live.”
“Mariza brings a modern sensibility to the form” — The New York Times
“Her voice is a gorgeous, evocative instrument, and she sings with bravura and power. …[H]er performance is nothing short of a genuine revelation.” — Billboard
“The New Diva of Fado” — NPR
“She draws her listeners to her with a beckoning finger, addressing the audience with the hushed intimacy one might use toward a lover” — Los Angeles Times
“The Mozambican-born Portuguese singer Mariza has spent ten years turning Portugal’s melancholy, yearning national song, “Fado”, on its head.” — Financial Times
“Since the release of her debut album 15 years ago, the singer has inarguably been Portugal’s greatest musical export, enlivening the country’s traditional fado music for a global audience.” — The National
In just twelve years, Mariza has transformed from a hidden treasure in Lisbon to one of the most widely acclaimed international musicians. Her sound mixes Cape Verdean mornas, Brazilian and R&B classics, without losing sight of her Fado roots. Having won countless international awards and being recognized across the globe, Mariza is finally embarking on another US tour. You don’t want to miss out on this exciting night of great live music!!
See Mariza Live in her 2019 North American Tour Dates
Event Page or Ticket Sales Page: https://mariza.rockpaperscissors.biz/dispatch/pu/25565
April 10 at 7:30 pm
Rio Theatre (1205 Soquel Ave. Santa Monica, CA 95062)
Ticket Info: $47-$76
Ticket URL: https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/mariza-4-10-19/