An African Musical Icon and Legend Passes: RIP Cesaria Evora “Barefoot Diva”

by Nelima

I woke up this morning to see this message in my Facebook stream.

I was heartbroken! Cesaria Evora has been a long time favorite of mine (and many around the world), I really hoped that I would get the chance to see her perform live. Nonetheless I am glad to have even known of her music, she is singing with the Angels now.

Cape Verdean Carmen Souza at the Cedar

Carmen Souza| Photo by Ricardo Quintas

Another Cape Verdean songstress is in the cities. Unlike Lura, whose music I love, I have not heard of Carmen Souza. She sounds jazzy and sultry. Simply divine. 

Lura at the Dakota

Lura. Photo by Ernest Collins

By Nekessa

If you haven’t heard Lura on Youtube, or on cd, this will be a perfect opportunity for you to see her live in concert (details of concert below). Lura’s rich heritage influences a lot of her music.

Born in France, of Cape Verdean parents, her music is a blend of French Afro-pop, Brazilian rhythms and earthy, traditional African music. Early in her career, she went on tour with another world-famous Cape Verdean songstress Cesaria Evora. She has been described as a dynamic world class musician.

Listen here to sample her music.

And if you are a fashionista like me, you will love her summery dresses that are as bright as her music is beautiful. See you there!

Lura concert details
Two shows: 7pm ($25) and 9:30pm ($20)
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
Dakota Jazz Club
1010 Nicollet, Minneapolis, MN 55403   (612) 332-1010