The Sounds of Home: Cape Verdean Music in America and the Islands

Join leading Cape Verdean-descended contemporary musicians, and scholars of music history to learn about how Cape Verdean music from the islands influenced Cape Verdean American music in Southern New England. Moderated by Ymelda Rivera Laxton, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Community Projects at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, this free, online program is a unique opportunity to learn more about artistic expression of the Cape Verdean diaspora, and is offered as a companion to the Museum’s Cape Verdean Contemporary project.

As an artist, Candida Rose Baptista works creatively in the medium of sound, and has released two studio albums, which bring her deep knowledge of Cabo Verdean genres like the slow, lilting morna and the polyrhythmic batuku and her training in jazz musicianship into an exciting fusion that she calls “KabuJazz.” She founded and spearheads the KabuJazz Ensemble, which spins Cabo Verdean classics with jazz flavor in regular gigs across New England. Her 10-song debut album, KabuMerikana: The Sum of ME (2006), features original compositions like her kola-zouk hit “Kabu Verdi, Un Dia,” alongside reimagined covers of Cabo Verdean classics, like “Sodade.” Candida has made good use of her Bachelor’s degree in Music from UMass Dartmouth, performing with Cabo Verdean stars like Maria de Barros and Tiny Tavares and appearing onstage at the 2014 Kriol Jazz Festival in Cabo Verde. She is consistently sought after to perform for many Cabo Verdean and Southcoast-based dignitaries.

Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. As was one of the original DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became WUMD radio station, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus, Reis is a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend who grew up in the Cape Verdean community of New Bedford, surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats.

Joaquim Santos, son of Jackie Santos of Tavares fame is a gifted drummer and musical director in the new England area. He is also a Zildjian endorsed artist. Taking after his father, he has been working as a professional drummer for the past fourteen years including touring with Grammy award winning Tavares to South America with Earth, Wind & Fire. Tours with LFO, also featured in Billboard and AMP magazine. Santos musically directs and plays many private events across new England and founded and coordinated events for his collaborative project Joaquin Santos & Friends and The Dope Lotus. He has his own private practice called Jackie/drums and also taught at Berklee college of Music for the groove school. Santos currently teaches at Fall River Arts Academy.