Sintra < Maria João closes Jazz in Monserrate

Maria João closed another Jazz in Monserrate Festival yesterday, Sunday, September 14th. The singer, celebrating 40 years of her career, presented her new album, Abundância, in collaboration with Mozambican musicians and a choir, rediscovering her African roots and blending them with the jazz language.

Maria João is one of the most acclaimed and versatile Portuguese singers, widely recognised in the European and global jazz scene, known for her extraordinary voice and innovative and experimental approach to music.

Maria João’s career began in the 1980s, quickly gaining notoriety for her impressive vocal technique and ability to improvise and explore her voice as an instrument. Although her foundation is jazz, her musical work transcends genres, blending elements of world music, fado, electronic music, and Brazilian rhythms.

Her collaboration with pianist and composer Mário Laginha is one of the most important and enduring projects of her career, resulting in several successful albums and acclaimed performances worldwide. Together, they created a unique sound that defines the avant-garde of Portuguese jazz.

Throughout her career, Maria João has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, both in Portugal and internationally, including the Porto Jazz Orchestra, Manu Dibango, and Aki Takase. Her discography is extensive and includes landmark albums such as Conversa (1986), Fado (1987), Dança da Solidão (1994, with Mário Laginha), Mumadji (1998), Lobos, Raposas e Coiotes (2009, with Mário Laginha), and A Poesia de Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (2018), which also includes the acclaimed Abundância.

Maria João is an essential figure in Portuguese music, an artist who broke barriers and continues to be an inspiration to musicians and fans due to her innovation and passion for art.

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