Djosinha

Jose (Djosinha) Duarte has done much with his long career(s). Some say he has been able to translate the peculiar ability of an entire people, a legacy or a treasure that we are obligated to preserve and pass on to future generations.

His musical career has spanned some 20 albums and huge numbers of shows on every continent. A legendary singer, ex-soccer player, and a "man of the sea," Djosinha was born and raised in Alto de Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, an island just north of the main Cape Verdean archipelago.

Djosinha started to appear on stage when he was 7 years old. Olavo Bilac, another personality of the Cape Verdean music, was his mentor. He started moving in Mindelo's musical circle at a time when the Cape Verdean market was flooded by Brazilian music. It was "Radio Pedro Afonso," a broadcasting station from his native island, that made him popular in a contest presented by Evandro and Mario Matos.

In 1967 he was invited to join "Voz de Cabo Verde," the first great Cape Verdean band that showed the rhythm of the islands to the world. As a member of this group, Djosinha, a true showman, worked with Luis Morais, Toi d'Bibia, Morgadinho, Frank Cavaquinho, and João da Lomba. —Courtesy Calabash Music