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CARMEN
SOUZA

"The Ella Fitzgerald of Cape Verde" FRANCE CULTURE

Carmen Souza has become a reference point for Cape Verdean music. Since the release of her first album in 2005, Ess e Nha Cabo Verde, she and Théo Pascal, her bassist and producer, have succeeded in creating a new, unclassifiable genre, somewhere between traditional African rhythms, Cape Verdean melodies, and contemporary jazz.

Often called the Ella Fitzgerald of Cape Verde, Carmen Souza is a pioneer in writing, recording, and performing her own formulation of world jazz. Her charisma and vocal technique have allowed her to operate far beyond the limits of world music and jazz – genres in which she moves with ease and grace – making her much more than a singer-songwriter.

Her new album Port'Inglês was released in France in the spring of 2025 (Galileo /MDC/Pias).

4 musicians - London

carmensouzamusic.blogspot.com

"Carmen Souza draws on her African heritage to bring a new brilliance

to the repertoire of Horace Silver." FRANCE MUSIQUE

"Carmen Souza takes us from shadow to light with her deep, veiled, earthy, agile, 

and sensual voice, with a touch of mischievousness" FIP

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Carmen Souza | Francis Drum (Official videoclip)
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Carmen Souza | Francis Drum (Official videoclip)

(Videoclip) Francis Drums video recorded at the LIGHTSHIP95 STUDIOS in London by Tom Sankey (Camera, video editing) Featuring Carmen Souza – vocals, piano Theo Pascal – Double Bass, Elias Kacomanolis – Drums, Gareth Lockrane – Flute This song speaks about the contradicting perspectives regarding Francis Drake, who is seen as a hero of the British Nation but also seen as a terror and thief in Cape Verde and Spain. His story is very powerful. According to records, he was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, and he was only 15 years old. Apparently, he used to sail everywhere carrying a snare drum, which he played frequently. Before he died off the coast of Panama, he ordered his snare drum to be taken to Devon and stored in a safe place within his family, and that whenever the UK was in danger, all they had to do was to strike the drum, and he would come down from heaven to protect and save the nation. This music was inspired by the Sea Chanties and British folk. I was curious to know more about the music made in Britain during the discovery period. Lyrics This is a story about a young Devon boy, Who’s dream was to go to sea, to sea 15 years old, he was the first English man Sailing all the world Francis Drake was his name Storia, Storia ta conta dum mocim Ingles So cu 15 na d’idade, 15 an El camba na mar, na bord di Pelican Se nom e Francis Drake, Se nom e Francis Drake This is a story about a little boy, Who’s dream was to go to sea, to sea 15 years old, he was the first English man Sailing all the world Francis Drake was his name Storia, Storia ta conta dum mocim Ingles So cu 15 na mundu, 15 an El camba na mar, di Pelican Se nom e Francis Drake, Se nom e Francis Drake Um pirata, um herói, pilhador (A pirate, a hero, a pillager) Se nome e conchidu na mundu (His name is known worldwide) Francis e nomi di Conquista e terror (Francis is the name of conquest and terror) Amadu, Odiadu (Loved and Hated) Se riqueza fui fetu na costa de tudu nos irmao (His wealth was built in the backs of our brothers.) Francis brought thunder and storm to every port By playing his little drum Just before he died, he left a clear instruction. Strike my precious drum. If ever at war and your powder is low Please strike it as loud and proud I will come down from heaven and will save the nation. No tomb will hold me down. NEW ALBUM / Port’Inglês on Galileo Music NEW TOUR on the road 2025-2026 Management & Booking office Patricia Pascal patricia.pascal@carmensouza.com 00447799500179 . carmensouza.com / theopascal.com Facebook: @carmensouzaofficial Instagram: @carmensouzatheopascal
NEW SINGLE // CARMENSOUZA_Cais D' Port’Inglês
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NEW SINGLE // CARMENSOUZA_Cais D' Port’Inglês

NEW SINGLE // CARMENSOUZA_Cais d' Port’Inglês part of NEW ALBUM Port ’ Inglês (English Port) Musical Suite Out 27th Sep. 2024 ON GALILEO MUSIC SUPPORTED BY THE ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND . Cais D’Port inglês Carmen Souza – vocals, guitars and small percussion, Theo Pascal – Double Bass, Elias Kacomanolis – Drums, João Oliveira – Acoustic Upright Piano Cais D'Port Inglês is a Morna that speaks about the several piers in the many Cabo Verdean islands that experienced the British presence. The sea waves brought cultural influences, diversity, and customs, but in this exchange, a part of Cape Verde was transported to the world. Chang comments on cultural exchanges: "In the process, the self may learn from others and take in a part of others" (Chang, 2016) Lyrics Na cais des port inglês (In the piers of these English Ports) Tem um riqueza (There is richness) Qui onda di mar ta bem traze e el ta leva (That the sea waves bring and take away) Na cais dess port inglês (In the piers of this English Ports) Tem Morabeza (there is a Joie-de-vivre) Tem tradição, tem cultura diversidade (tradition, culture and diversity) Es bem de tudo part dess mund (they came from all over the world) Desembarca ness nos padoc (disembarked in our land) Ma es ca sabia q ess cantim era tão sab era tão doce (But they didn't know that our little haven was so peaceful and sweet) Es bem panha licon (they came and learned lessons) Dess mod de vida, dess sabura (about this way of life and this deliciousness) Qui ninguém sabe explica, ma el ta xintill (that no one can explain, but they feel it) . Carmen Souza Management Patricia Pascal management.carmensouza@gmail.com +7799500179 carmensouza.com / theopascal.com Facebook: @carmensouzaofficial Instagram: @carmensouzatheopascal youtube.com/carmensouzavideos
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