Cesaria Evora Dies
GRAMMY-winning world music artist Cesaria Evora died Dec. 17 in her home country Cape Verde. A cause of death was not disclosed. She was 70. Evora was known for performing morna, a style of music that combines West African percussion with Portuguese fado, Brazilian modinha and British sea shanties. Her singing style drew comparisons to Billie Holiday and Edith Piaf. In 1988 Evora released her debut international album, La Diva Aux Pieds Nus. Recorded in Paris, the album garnered the singer international fame and she recorded three more albums in France through 1992. She embarked on her first large-scale tour of the United States in 1995. In 2003 she earned a GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album for Voz D'Amor. (12/19)