The Portuguese style known as fado derives from the word for fate, and you might think of it as Portugal’s answer to the blues. These are tales of heartbreak and misfortune, beautifully set to melodies that ebb and flow like the sea. One of the leading fado singers in the world today is Mariza, who was born in the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique and grew up in Lisbon singing gospel, soul, and jazz. But she’s made her global reputation - sold over a million records – on the strength of her fado singing. Her repertoire, while firmly rooted in classical and contemporary Fado, has grown to include occasional Cape Verdean mornas, Rhythm and Blues classics and other themes she holds dear to her heart. Portuguese fado singer Mariza performs Wednesday night, May 1, at Town Hall.