Jazz Articles about Maria Mendes

About Maria Mendes

Live Review

Maria Mendes and the Macedonian National Jazz Orchestra at the National Opera and Ballet

by Nenad Georgievski
March 31, 2025

Marija Mendes and the Macedonian National Jazz Orchestra National Opera and BalletSkopje, Macedonia March, 25, 2025 Music may not be able to solve all the world's problems, but it has the power to heal wounds and bring comfort to those who need it most. That was precisely what happened when Portuguese singer Maria Mendes took the stage with the Macedonian National Jazz Orchestra Big Band, under the expert direction of conductor and arranger ...

Album Review

Maria Mendes: Saudade, Colours of Love

Read "Saudade, Colours of Love" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
November 29, 2022

Every language has words that defy translation. Take “saudade" in Portuguese or Galician. Or “fado." Go to a standard dictionary, and “saudade" appears as “nostalgia" or “longing." In reality, a native speaker will tell you “saudade" means a kind of indefinable melancholy for people, places or things that may only exist in the imagination, and “fantasy" will not even come close. “Fado" is an art form, defined as a mournful or fatalistic Portuguese folk song. Perhaps “flamenco" is familiar, but ...

Album Review

Maria Mendes: Close To Me

Read "Close To Me" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
December 22, 2019

A great affection for fado music and its poetic lyrics, an appreciation for how a jazz palette can color the form, and a love of orchestral seasonings all influence this expansive outing from Maria Mendes. It's an effort that's far from the norm and right where the Portuguese vocalist lives and loves to be. Teaming up with pianist/arranger extraordinaire John Beasley, Mendes delivers originals, fado favorites, and, for good measure, a new number written for her by ...

Album Review

Maria Mendes: Along the Road

Read "Along the Road" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
January 24, 2013

Virtuosity needn't be on display at every moment; restraint, in fact, is an important yet often overlooked aspect of true virtuosity. Norma Winstone is a clear example; certainly capable of plenty, more often than not the British singer's performances are defined by nuance, subtlety and a direct line to the heart of the music. Maria Mendes is another, with the spirit of Brazil looming large over this young Portuguese-born/Netherlands-resident singer's impressive debut, Along the Road--a nine-song set of standards, material ...