Carmen Souza

The Silver Messengers tour

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Last Show: Wednesday 13 th October 2021

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

Carmen Souza celebrates the life and music of emblematic pianist Horace Silver in her new album ‘The Silver Messengers’. After critically acclaimed versions of 'Song for my father' or 'Cape Verdean Blues', in her previous cd´s, she channels the common African heritage to shed a new light into Silver´s repertoire. Most compositions on the album are by the great American master but Carmen Souza totally reclaims them, in her inimitable style, full of energy, humor ... and crazy creativity - the very symbol, or synonym, of jazz!  Carmen Souza, celebrated World Jazz award-winning singer-songwriter, presents her last album ‘The Silver Messengers’ - A Tribute to Horace Silver.

 

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"Gravity-defying voice"

Songlines UK

Often called the Cape-Verdean Ella Fitzgerald, Souza is a reference in the Cape-Verdean music and a female pioneer writing, recording and performing her own successful formula of World Jazz, all over the globe. Her charisma and earthy virtuoso vocal technique have permitted her to operate far beyond the limits of World Music, Jazz, and singer-songwriter, all genres in which she moves with ease and grace. 

Carmen Souza award-winning singer-songwriter and instrumentalist is a reference in the Cape-Verdean music and a female pioneer creating a new body of timeless Creole Jazz that undoubtedly will inspire future generations. With a critically acclaimed solid career, in both the World Music and Jazz scenes, spanning over more than a decade, several tours around the world and 8 CD, Souza, together with her longtime musical partner, Theo Pascal, have managed to imprint ethnicity to Jazz in their signature 'World Jazz' and get it closer to its African roots. 

Souza´s charisma and earthy virtuoso vocal technique have permitted her to operate far beyond the limits of World Music, Jazz, and singer-songwriter, all genres in which she moves with ease and grace.

The latest CD 'The Silver Messengers' was released in Oct 2019 by Galileo Music and the audience and press response, all over the World, was fantastic considering the album the ultimate tribute to Horace Silver. The album got 4****star reviews at the Downbeat Magazine (USA) and Songlines (Uk) among others, was cover story of one of the most important Jazz magazines in Germany - Jazzthetik and went on to be included in the most important press Charts in Europe: World Music Charts Europe, Transglobal World Music Charts, Europe Jazz Media Chart (European Jazz Network). In the USA the album also entered the Jazz Radio chart.  

Horace Silver has been credited, more than once, as a big influence in Souza´s career.

Silver left us 6 years ago and Souza´s connection to the emblematic and pioneer hard bop pianist go beyond just the artistic identification. 

Band Line Up

Carmen Souza (guitar, piano, vocals)

Theo Pascal (bass and double bass)

Elias Kacomanolis (drums)

Benjamin Burrell (piano)