2023-05-10 01:13:15
Virginia Alves She was born in Madrid, but she looks like one of the protagonists of the cult movie The lucky star club (Wayne Wang, 1993): all the strength of his Angolan mother and grandmother (and so on backwards, in countless generations) come together in one and sprout from the powerful jet of voice that the cosmos has given him.
His mother Elsa, a victim of the war in her country, is also an artist, for a long time she sang fado in the street (Amália Rodrigues) to support the family; Her strength managed to raise a woman who is necessary in the music scene because she represents an exquisite mix of origins, spirits, languages, and talents. Virginia has a voice that is young and old at the same time, strong and sweet at the same time, full of air. She can’t fit more flow in her body. Her afro stands proud. All the females in her family tree are by her side wherever she goes. And that shows when she steps on stage.
My mother has always said:
‘The rain will make you stronger
Behind the rocks of our faith there is a rainbow full of wonders, waiting for you
And when a wave comes you’ll ride it
Maybe you’ll even sing a song to navigate through the pain.[1]
- Stop in Time, Ondaka2022.
[1] Mother always said you will get stroger in the rain
Behind the stones of our faith, there’s a rainbow full of wonder that awaits
And when a wave comes you will sail away, maybe sing a song through the pain
The talented Afro-Hispanic singer, lyricist and arranger Virginia Alvesgraduated with a full scholarship from the prestigious Berklee College of Music de Bostonhas been highlighted in the show business for his collaboration with highly respected musicians such as the Puerto Rican guitarist Omar Rodriguez Lopez (to whom he lent his voice to The Clouds Hills Tapes Vol I, II & IIIof 2020), Avishai Cohen (with whom he acted in the legendary Blue Note from New York two weeks ago with the band Iroko), Alejandro Sanz (whose showgirl) and Leo Genovese. Not to mention his work with the prestigious Cirque du Soleil where he has performed twice, first in the show Happiness and then in the role of Mozaïa for Fierithat precious tribute to the magic of Malta.
Miss Galves has performed in a wide variety of theaters and festivals throughout the United States interpreting a selection of more than versatile musical genres: jazz, R&B, soul, reggae, rock, funk among others. And this year 2023 she was nominated twice for the awards Enlace Funk (The Clintons) as Best singer (for their singles “Silver Lining” and “Stop in Time”) and Best groupfor their collaboration in the Project Do Do Do (led by soul jazz flutist and composer Marta Mansilla Blanco) and his brand new Peacemaker (Camaleon Music Studio).
With all this baggage behind him, it is not surprising that World Music is the soul that runs through his work like a vein of golden quartz. Her project Ondaka (means WORD in the Umbundu language, from the Bantu) develops precisely that: the search for a personal and musical identity through the fusion between world, soul and pop (just take a look at their playlist on Spotify to make sure of the multiple sources that nourish his style). Consistently, Virginia was one of seven artists to sing on U-Lab Music’s ‘Immigrant Sounds’ that honor migrants and refugees as part of Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day.
their idols are Etta James, Tina Turner y Nina Simone:
Nina Simone is someone I think everyone should know. A very strong woman, an activist. She is someone who is coming back to life.
Virginia performed exclusively “Es tu luz” (by Borja García Nieto and Víctor Martín Aragón).
This issue for me is an internal search, but it is also a call for all these people who have been having such a hard time as immigrants. There is always a light. Whether it’s your mother, your father or the musicians you play with.
Troubled waters for difficult issues
amend the ladder for us to continue ascending
Find the color that cures your grief
Find tomorrow behind the ray of hope.[2]
- Silver Lining, Ondaka feat. DJ ShaymanBongo Nyah Records, 2022.
[2] Troubled waters for troubled matters
Fix the ladder for us to keep climbing
Find the colour to heal your sorrow
Find tomorrow behind the silver lining.
It has even given him time to participate in a talent show (Cover Nightfrom TVE1) where he has shone as a performer and arranger covering monsters like Beyoncé, Madonna, Monica Naranjo, Michael Jackson o Earth Wind & Fire; and he has done with them what he wanted, which is basically what great arrangers do. Virginia Alves performs tomorrow in the mythical room cafe berlinaccompanied by a team of top-level musicians. mayte gonzalez will be at the piano Dariel Peniazek on electric guitar, Manu Sanz on electric bass and Alberto Brenes in the battery. In an event full of groove and sensitivity, the edition of Especial NPR Compilation will present the most popular songs from the American concert series NPR TINY DESK. An opportunity to enjoy music with soul, roots and strength.
And hopefully Virginia/Ondaka is wearing her groovy earrings in the shape of the map of the African continent.
#time #girl #map #beautiful #African #continent #tattooed #neck