The Latvian Radio Big Band and Maria Mendes have been working on a new project and have assembled material from her 4x Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated Fado Jazz repertoire, specially arranged for the Latvian Radio Big Band. This is a celebration to virtuosity, to poetic lyrical playing and singing, to creativity and exploration on defying the boundaries of music genres.
This music is a result of a handful of iconic fados – such as "Foi Deus", "Tudo Isto É Fado"- and traditional Portuguese songs - such as "Quando Eu Era Pequenina" and "Verdes Anos" – interpreted to a mesmerizing music world that fuses jazz, contemporary and folk music. One of Maria’s favourites is "Com Que Voz", an ancient song from Portugal which lyrics span 500 years, written by the poet Luis de Camões, considered by many the Portuguese Shakespeare, and immortalized by Amália Rodrigues, the "Queen of Fado". This song will open the show and set the mood for the audience to witness an unforgettable evening of music where the lush orchestral sound of the Big Band creates sparks when meeting the exhilarating interplay of Mendes’ fervent voice singing stories of saudade, longing and love.