RIP, Cesaria Evora
Rest in peace to Cesaria Evora, the "Barefoot Diva" from Cape Verde who was one of the great soulful voices of Lusophone Africa.
Rest in peace to Cesaria Evora, the "Barefoot Diva" from Cape Verde who was one of the great soulful voices of Lusophone Africa. She was 70, and the Cape Verde cultural minister announced her death this morning. Evora toured frequently until announcing her retirement for health reasons three months ago. She most recently played Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center in 2006. Kevin L. Carter interviewed her before a show at the Keswick Theater in 1996, when Evora explained that the Cape Verdean style of song known as morna "is not hot or cold. It is warm. Like with the blues, it is how we Cape Verdeans express everything, our sadness, our happiness, our sodade.'' Read more of that interview here. Reacting to Evora's death, Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo tweeted: "She had the most amazing voice and was the most generous person I have ever met." Below, watch Evora sing "Cabo Verde," and hear more Evora here.
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