Chan Centre to Present Portugal's Innovative Voices in Double Bill

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC) presents a double bill featuring two Portuguese stars, both innovative artists of their generation: singer-guitarist Sara Tavares and fado vocalist Carminho, Saturday, November 21 at 8pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall. The evening celebrates the diversity of Portuguese/Lusophone music by pairing these very different musicians who share a homeland and an ethos.

"Situated at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, Portugal is home to a unique convergence of cultures, where we see artistic influences from around the world integrate with the country's rich local traditions," says Joyce Hinton, Co-Managing Director of the Chan Centre. "Sara Tavares and Carminho are two artists who have emerged from this mosaic with their own distinct styles, and remain rooted in a mutual heritage. The perfect complement to one another, Sara leads the co-bill with her spirited fusion of Angolese rhythms and warm vocals, followed by the tender and spellbinding voice of fadista Carminho."

Born in Lisbon to Cape Verdean parents, Sara Tavares belongs to a new era of popular singers who arose in the wake of the late Ce?saria E?vora's success. As a small child, the artist was left by her parents in the care of a woman native to Portugal. Through attending church with her adoptive mother, Tavares was introduced to gospel music, which later sparked a passion for Motown and R&B, and laid the foundation for her distinctive sound. Also essential to her musical upbringing were the sounds of Cape Verde: morna, a folk style characterized by haunting melodies, and its close relative, coladeira, similar in tone with an accelerated tempo.

The hip songstress weaves together the many influences of her past to create an irresistably funky fusion. With her 2007 breakout album Balancê, Tavares achieved international recognition. Filled with rhythms rooted in Brazilian bossa nova and Angolan semba, the record's success brought Tavares on tour through Europe, Japan and the US. Yet, it was her 2009 release Xinti (Feel it) where Tavares exposed her true vocal virtuosity with a richer, more expansive repertoire. While remaining light and danceable, the album's philosophical lyrics reveal a woman who has grown wise beyond her years, and inspires a feeling of what the artist in her own words describes as "the soul taking flight".

The second half of the evening shifts to a fado mood as Carminho, with a voice described as "beautifully translucent and stunning in its emotional charge" (Songlines Magazine) graces the stage. Born Carmo Rebelo de Andrade to Teresa Siqueira, an illustrious fado singer, the sensuous vocalist began singing in public at the tender age of 12. Fado soon became Carminho's destiny as performing was "as natural to her as breathing". One of the most outstanding and heartfelt voices to come out of the recent fado resurgence, Carminho delves into folk, pop, rock, and jazz, while drawing inspiration from the fado stars of previous generations.

Carminho's debut album Fado (2009) revealed her as a worthy successor of the fado movement - the record reached platinum status and was embraced by fans worldwide. In 2012, she became the first Portuguese artist to hit number one on the Spanish music charts with her second release Alma, described as a "modern classic" (The Portuguese American Journal). Evoking raw passion and intensity, the works marry fado's past and present, while also shaping the future of the melancholic and stirring genre. The latest addition to Carminho's discography is Canto (2014), which extends the boundaries of the deeply moving artform with strong ties to the many rhythms and sounds of Brazil.

Exuding two differing attitudes of Portugal's vibrant music scene, Sara Tavares and Carminho offer a captivating glimpse at the vast cultural and artistic offerings of their home country.

Chan Centre Connects Events
Chan Centre Connects is a series of ancillary events programmed in conjunction with Chan Centre Presents performances, exploring the role of arts and artists in society.

• Pre-Show Talk with Carminho & Sara Tavares - Nov 21 / 7pm @ Royal Bank Cinema (Chan Centre). In advance of their performance, this is an exclusive opportunity to hear from the artists themselves in a moderated conversation that will touch on their respective art forms and common Portuguese heritage.