Yami in Wrocław: the African roots of the artist known for “Sobremesa”

YAMI, the multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer and record producer known to Polish audiences for his performances with Anna Maria Jopek and Mariza, will appear at the White Stork Synagogue on 12 October.

YAMI, whose real name is Fernando Araujo, was born in Angola on the day man landed on the Moon, something he says influenced his rather wild and cheerful nature. His binational family moved to Lisbon after Angola gained independence in 1974. Yami attended jazz school in the capital while performing extensively across many scenes, from African music to fado. His extraordinary musicality caught the attention of Carlos do Carmo himself, undoubtedly the greatest living legend of Portuguese music. Yami has been the master’s regular accompanist ever since. He has worked with Camane, among others, and almost all the major and emerging fado stars, including Carminho.

He currently also tours with Cape Verdean diva Lura and the brilliant fado singer Mariza!

He leads his own band, with whom he released Aloelela (HM Musica 2007), a bouquet of happy songs rooted in African tradition. He also co-founded Muxima, whose work paid tribute to old songs popular in Angola. With Muxima he released two albums which, like his own record, quickly disappeared from shop shelves.

Yami has participated in dozens of music projects worldwide and gathers Portugal's most gifted musicians around him. In Poland, he worked with Anna Maria Jopek on Sobremesa, appearing alongside greats including Paulo De Carvalho, Ivan Lins, Tito Paris and Sara Tavares.

Sobremesa quickly achieved Platinum status, and two tours were hugely successful. YAMI is currently working on a new album.