PORTUGUESE SINGERS Sara Tavares and Mariza have been nominated in two categories of the 2007 BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards.
Celebrated Fado star, Mariza, has been nominated in the Best European Artist in the World Music category, a category she won in 2003.
After releasing a trio of critically acclaimed albums, Fado Em Mim, Fado Curvo and Transparente, she has become recognised as an international talent and has been credited with bringing Fado to a new, younger audience.
This week the Mozambique born singer has been performing to packed venues in Lisbon and Porto, and on November 22, will be performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Sara Tavares is nominated in the newcomer category. The Portuguese singer of Cape Verdean descent has recently won acclaim for her album, Balance, which pays tribute to her African roots.
She grew up in a Lisbon immigrant community and the rich cultural mix of her surroundings plays out naturally in her warm, graceful songs.
You can catch hints of Cape Verdean morna, African juju and highlife, Portuguese Fado, Brazilian pop and reggae in her music. Sara Tavares first became famous when she reached the final of a television talent contest from Endemol called Chuva de Estrelas (it’s raining stars) in 1994. Today she sings to packed audiences on her world tours.
