CARMEN SOUZA (2022)

Born in Lisbon and based in London, Carmen Souza is one of the most sought-after jazz singers in Europe. After the death of the most famous Cape Verdean singer, Cesária Évora, Carmen Souza has been designated as one of the ambassadors of the archipelago’s music. Her style is unique and compelling, and her Cape Verdean roots are as evident as her desire to create a new language under the label ‘World Jazz’. Her tenth album Interconnectedness is about our common experience of separation during the Covid and her realisation that all humanity is connected. It includes 7 new songs and 3 very personal versions of classics: My Baby Just Cares For Me, Sous Le Ciel de Paris and Pata Pata.

Carmen Souza grew up in a bilingual Creole and Portuguese household always surrounded by Cape Verdean culture. At an early age, the long absence of her father due to his work at sea made her feel “Sodade”, a mixture of melancholy and hope. In 2003, she met Theo Pas’cal, her producer, mentor and one of the best bass players in Portugal. He introduced her to jazz and other contemporary sounds that strongly influenced her musical development. Since then they have co-written all her albums and perform them together.

Now a leading figure in world music, she returns with an album in which she explores the interdependence of human beings. “This music is the result of what has happened in the world over the last 2 years and what has happened to me over the last 4 years. The experience of loss has changed my perspective on life and therefore changed my music.”

“As composers and artists, Theo and I underwent a major rethink and the degree of experimentation in the production increased. The desire to play our music in front of an audience made us remember the many performances around the world and brought a sense of joy into the album.”

“As with every album we’ve made over the years, the music is always evolving into other perspectives and meanings as it is performed on the many stages around the world, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this music has in store and accompanying its evolution.”