Mona Gadelha

Mona Gadêlha was born in Ceará, a state in the northeast of Brazil). She is an urban, cosmopolitan artist who reaches beyond boundaries. Perhaps this explains her earlier involvement with rock music in the mid-'70s in Fortaleza (capital of Ceará state).

Mona had her debut at the First Rock Festival of Ceará in 1974. She was the only female performer at the event and right away became the muse of Ceará rock music. In 1979 she was featured in the Massafeira collection, a double album featuring 20 artists that brought together two generations of Ceará musicians. The single, "Cor de Sonho," had the participation of well known and widely respected musicians Robertinho do Recife (guitar) and Túlio Mourão (piano). This track became a hit on local radio stations in her native Fortaleza.

Mona also successfully pursued a bachelor's degree in Social Communication Science at the Federal University in Ceará. Meanwhile, she was featured in several collections and performed in many shows. One of these shows, entitled Emoções Perigosas, was staged all over the northeast in 1984, with successful reviews and billings.

Ten years after arriving in São Paulo, Mona has finally made it to her solo album, Movieplay. The long wait was worthwhile.

— Courtesy Calabash Music