Carmen Souza and “Epistola”: jazz, Cape Verdean roots and Theo Pascal at Stary Klasztor

During the concert on 11 February in the Gothic Hall at Stary Klasztor, the artist, accompanied by brilliant bassist Theo Pascal and her band, will present her latest album, “Epistola”, to Ethno Jazz Festival audiences.

Carmen Souza is a dazzlingly talented jazz singer whose roots reach the distant Cape Verde archipelago, blessed with a sensual, smoky vocal tone.

Born in Lisbon, she grew up surrounded by a mixture of Portuguese and the Cape Verdean Creole spoken by her parents. As a young woman, she sang in a gospel choir and has always considered the ability to express her spirituality through music a great privilege. Musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarret, Bill Evans, Miles Davis and Theo Pascal played the greatest role in shaping her personal style. It was Theo Pascal, one of Portugal’s finest bassists, who, captivated by her talent and personality, introduced her to contemporary sounds such as jazz and soul, which have enriched her musical development ever since.

Her debut, Ess ê nha Cabo Verde (2005), immediately placed her among Cape Verde’s leading young talents alongside Lura, Sara Tavares, Mayra Andrade and Maria Alice. Verdade (2008) confirmed that position, winning new fans among music journalists and listeners worldwide. In 2010, Carmen Souza released Protegid, perfectly combining sophisticated elegance, Cape Verdean Creole tradition and contemporary jazz and Latin sounds.

Her low, sensual voice and distinctive singing recalled Nina Simone and Billie Holliday. Protegid strengthened her world-music position while establishing a place distinct from other regional artists. It received fantastic reviews, called “a turning point that will both draw you closer and make you reassess everything you thought and loved about Cape Verde’s sound” (World Music Central).

Since 2005, Carmen Souza and Theo Pascal have toured extensively across Europe, America and Africa, including her beloved Cape Verde, where she was welcomed as a major star.

Following the death in 2011 of Cesaria Evora, Cape Verde’s most celebrated diva, Carmen Souza is widely seen as the greatest hope for music from this part of the world. Her recordings receive nominations for major awards, from the German Record Critic’s Award and World Music Charts Europe to the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album. “Protiged” was named “Best World Music Album”.

The Wrocław concert features the following line-up: Carmen Souza – guitar, vocals; Theo Pascal – double bass, bass guitar; Shane Forbes – drums; Nathaniel Facey – saxophones.

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