Mayra Andrade

Mayra Andrade

Mayra Andrade is a Cape Verdean singer born in La Habana, Cuba, in 1985. She grows up in several countries, including Senegal, Angola and Germany, and begins to attract notice for her voice and stage presence at 13. She later wins Cape Verde’s first gold medal at the Jeux de la Francophonie in Canada, a major early step in her career.

Career

Andrade first reaches a wider international audience in 2001 through the Francophonie competition in Ottawa and Hull, where she wins gold among singers from many countries. After that, she continues to perform in Cape Verde and abroad, including appearances in Praia and Mindelo, Lisbon, France and other festival stages. She also sings with Bau at the Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon, and appears alongside artists such as Sheila Jordan and Datévik Hovanessian at the Rendezvous de l’Erdre jazz festival in France.

She performs at a range of festivals and venues, including the opening of the International Festival of Film of the Three Continents in Nantes, the Festival de la Harpe, Africajarc, New Morning in Paris, Festopale in Étaples and the Festival of Jazz in Vannes. She also opens for Cesária Évora, Enrico Macías and Ernesto Tito Puentes.

Style and recordings

Andrade is associated with Cape Verdean music styles including morna, funaná, coladera and batuque, while also bringing in jazz elements. Her voice is described as crystalline and agile, and her work is presented as part of a newer generation in Cape Verdean music.

In 2006, she releases her first CD, Navega, on Sony/BMG.