Carmen Souza Brings Cape Verdian Soul Jazz to Toronto

Global Cafe and Small World Music will be presenting Carmen Souza in Toronto, Wednesday, April 22, 8:00pm at Lula Lounge. London based, Portugal raised, Cape Verde heritage, Carmen Souza bridges her African roots with first world sophistication.

Carmen is performing in Toronto on the eve of her sophomore CD release Verdade for the Connecting Cultures label (Netherlands). The dozen tracks lead the listener through a blend of seductive and soulful vocal prowess. Lively, funky, chilled but never straying completely from the blues based longing inherent in Cape Verde’s major contribution to popular music, morna.

Carmen is supported in the quartet by musical director and producer Theo Pas’cal (bass & double bass), Pedro Segundo (percussion) and Jonathan Idiagbonya (piano).

This tour will have her touch down April 24 at the University of Minneapolis Symposium on Popular Music with a performance at The Cedar, followed by a performance at the Chicago Cultural Center on April 27.

Carmen returns to North America in July for dates at London’s Sunfest, Ottawa and Montreal Jazz Festivals as well as other dates. Carmen has performed at Toronto’s Afrofest, in Calgary at Afrikadey, London’s WOMAD (UK), Ireland’s Bray Jazz Festival and the Ulsan World Music Festival in South Korea.

http://www.myspace.com/carmensouza