Latvian Radio Big Band and Maria Mendes

“Bringing together jazz and Fado has been the most important and artistically fulfilling work that I have done so far, really feeding my soul. It’s been a new awakening to connect with this beautiful legacy that came from my ancestors,” says the Portuguese chanteuse Maria Mendes.

The Latvian Radio Big Band and Maria Mendes have been working on a new project and have assembled material from her 4x Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated “Fado Jazz” repertoire, specially arranged for the Latvian Radio Big Band. This is a celebration to virtuosity, to poetic lyrical playing and singing, to creativity and exploration on defying the boundaries of music genres.

This music is a result of a handful of iconic fados – such as “Foi Deus”, “Tudo Isto É Fado”- and traditional Portuguese songs - such as “Quando Eu Era Pequenina” and “Verdes Anos” – interpreted to a mesmerizing music world that fuses jazz, contemporary and folk music. Notably, the legendary Hermeto Pascoal, dedicated a song to the singer with his experimental version of a Fado, sung without words. One of Maria’s favourites is “Com Que Voz”, an ancient song from Portugal which lyrics span 500 years, written by the poet Luis de Camões, considered by many the Portuguese Shakespeare, and immortalized by Amália Rodrigues, the "Queen of Fado”. This song will open the show and set the mood for the audience to witness an unforgettable evening of music where the lush orchestral sound of the Big Band creates sparks when meeting the exhilarating interplay of Mendes’ fervent voice singing stories of saudade, longing and love.

“A jazz singer of the highest order. The lush symphonic sound sparks when it meets the interplay of Mendes’s brilliant quartet and the singer’s fervent vocals.” – DOWNBEAT

Participants

Maria Mendes, vocals
Latvian Radio Big Band