Cesária Évora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cesária Évora
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Cesária Évora in São Paulo, 2008
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Barefoot Diva Cise Queen of Morna |
| Born | 27 August 1941 Mindelo, Cape Verde |
| Died | 17 December 2011 (aged 70) São Vicente, Cape Verde |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
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Cesária Évora (born August 27, 1941 – died December 17, 2011) was a famous singer from Cape Verde. People often called her Cize. She was known as the "Barefoot Diva" because she often sang without shoes. She was also called the "Queen of Morna", which is a special kind of music from Cape Verde. In 2004, she won a Grammy Award for her album Voz d'Amor.
Cesária started singing when she was young in bars in her hometown of Mindelo.
Contents
Biography
Early life and music
Cesária Évora was born in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, on August 27, 1941. Her father, who was a musician, died when she was seven years old. When she was ten, she went to an orphanage because her mother had six children and it was hard to care for them all.
At 16, a friend encouraged her to sing in a tavern where sailors gathered. She grew up in a house in Mindelo where many other Cape Verdean singers also spent time. This is where she learned a lot about music.
Becoming a star
In the 1960s, Cesária began singing on Portuguese cruise ships that visited Mindelo. She also sang on local radio stations. In 1985, a singer named Bana invited her to perform in Portugal. There, a music producer named José da Silva discovered her. He asked her to record music in Paris, France.
Her big international success came in 1988 with her first album, La Diva Aux Pieds Nus. This album was recorded in France. Before that, she had recorded an album called "Cesária" in 1987.
Her 1992 album, Miss Perfumado, sold over 300,000 copies around the world. It included one of her most famous songs, "Sodade". In 1995, her album Cesária brought her even more international fame. It also earned her first nomination for a Grammy Award.
In 1997, she won three KORA All African Music Awards. These included "Best Artist of West Africa" and "Best Album." In 2003, her album Voz d'Amor won a Grammy in the World Music category.
Later, in 2006, she released another successful album called Rogamar. It became popular in several European countries. In 2009, she released her last album, Nha Sentimento. It was recorded in Mindelo and Paris.
In 2009, she received a special award from France. She was made a knightess of the French Legion of Honour. She was the first person from Cape Verde to receive this honor. Her last award was in 2010, another "Merit of the Jury" award at the Kora All African Music Awards.
Awards and honors
- Grand-Cross of the Order of Prince Henry, Portugal (1999)
Death
In 2010, Cesária Évora performed her last concerts. After a heart problem, she had surgery in Paris. In late 2011, her agent announced that she was ending her singing career because of her health.
Cesária Évora passed away on December 17, 2011, at the age of 70. She died in São Vicente, Cape Verde, due to health issues.
Legacy
Cesária Évora left a lasting impact on music and her home country.
- In 2003, she appeared on a stamp in Cape Verde.
- In 2013, a Belgian musician named Stromae released a song called "Ave Cesaria" to honor her.
- In 2014, the central bank of Cape Verde put her face on their new 2000 Escudos banknote.
- A documentary film called Tchindas was made as a tribute to her. It features several of her songs.
- In 2016, singer Fantcha released an album called Nôs Caminhada. This album honored Cesária, who Fantcha considered her mentor.
- On her 78th birthday in 2019, Google Doodle honored her in many countries.
- American singer Madonna performed "Sodade" during her 2019–20 tour. She often mentioned Cesária Évora's influence.
Named after
Many places and even some animals have been named after Cesária Évora:
- On March 8, 2012, the airport in Mindelo, Cape Verde, was named Cesária Évora Airport. A statue of her was placed at the airport entrance.
- In 2014, a new street in Paris, France, was named after her. Several other streets in Europe also carry her name.
- A new college in Montreuil, France, was named after her in 2014.
- A street in the capital of Cape Verde, Praia, was also named for her.
- Two types of animals are named after her: a butterfly called Chilades evorae and a sea slug called Aegires evorae.
Discography
- La Diva aux Pieds Nus (1988)
- Distino di Belita (1990)
- Mar Azul (1991)
- Miss Perfumado (1992)
- Cesária (1995)
- Cabo Verde (1997)
- Café Atlantico (1999)
- São Vicente di Longe (2001)
- Voz d'Amor (2003)
- Rogamar (2006)
- Nha Sentimento (2009)
See also
In Spanish: Cesária Évora para niños
