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RIMC:
How long have you been in the
business?
Artist:
About 20
years
RIMC:
Who inspires or influences you
musically?
Artist:
My influences come from many different genres and people. My sound
comes mostly from world, gospel, R & &, and jazz. I grew up loving
female vocalists like Phyllis Hyman, Roberta Flack and Anita Baker. I
was also very intrigued by Sade’s sound. As I started to turn to
jazz, of course, the greats like Ella, Billie and Sarah became staples
in my listening moments, although I also love listening to Shirley
Horn. With Cape Verdean music, its Cesaria Evora and Lura. Closer to
home, Shawnn Monteiro and Semenya McCord have played a huge part of
who I am vocally.
RIMC:
What would your fans be surprised
to know about you?
Artist:
I
am really kind of shy when I am not on stage. YES, BELIEVE IT!!!!
RIMC:
What CDs are you personally
listening to now?
Artist:
Right now, I am mainly listening to the live sound track of Langston
Hugh’s Black Nativity produced by the National Center of African
American Artists in Boston. I am in rehearsals for the song-play
which will be running in December at the Tremont Temple in Boston.
Other than that I go between Cape Verdean and jazz CD’s.
RIMC:
What movie would you say could be
your life story?
Artist:
I don’t know. I haven’t really seen a movie that has struck me that
way. Although, if there was a vocalist’s version of “Flashdance” I
could see similarities.
RIMC:
Who are your favorite local
artists?
Artist:
You know, there are way too many to mention and I love all of the
local artists that I know. But as I mentioned earlier, Shawnn
Monteiro and Semenya McCord (she’s not local anymore) have not only
been friends, but mentors, as well. A lot of who I am vocally is
because of them. I have tremendous respect and admiration for both of
them. On the male side, my drummer cousins Manny and Jackie Santos
are guys I have looked up to musically for a long time. Their
successes keep my inspired. Armsted Christian, Denny Mendes (another
cousin), and Chops Turner have also helped to mold me along my musical
journey. I really don’t like naming names because you always forget
someone. I have so much love and respect for all of the local
musicians who have allowed me to share their stage. (If I haven’t
mentioned you, you know who you are).
RIMC:
What’s your favorite food?
Artist:
Chocolate anything!!!!!
RIMC:
What other talents do you have?
Artist:
Aside from all my musical stuff, songwriting, composing, arranging,
producing, etc. and in addition to dancing and acting, I make jewelry.
RIMC:
What do you do or what gets you in
the mood before you perform?
Artist:
Warm up and PRAY!!!!!
RIMC:
What has been your most
embarrassing moment?
Artist:
Several years ago, after a long, tiring weekend of performing all over
the place with the band I was with at the time, we came back to a
local spot here in New Bedford. I got ready to do a duet with one of
the guys. I started the song so off key, I made myself cringe and I
couldn’t find my way back. The rest of the gig didn’t go any better.
That moment stayed with me for a long time. It was a first impression
of me for a lot of people and it wasn’t a good one. It took me a long
time to live it down.
RIMC:
What has been your proudest moment
in life so far?
Artist:
Personally, first and foremost, having my daughters and now having my
grandsons. Musically, first graduating from UMASS Dartmouth at the
age of 44 with a degree in Music, then a year later, releasing my
debut CD “KabuMerikana, The Sum of ME”, then a year after that,
singing one of the songs from that CD “Kabu Verdi Un Dia” in front of
about 20,000 people in Cape Verde.
RIMC:
If you ever won an American Music
Award or Grammy, who would you thank and why?
Artist:
First,
my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for blessing me with the gift of
song. Then I would thank my husband, my daughters and grandsons, my
close friends and family in general for always being supportive. And
again, because there are way too many to name, I would thank everyone,
at any time in my life, who has helped to encourage me in any way,
shape or form along my musical journey.
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