Mariza and Derek Gripper

Following the death of fado star Amália Rodrigues in 1999, the nation were in mourning at the loss of this celebrated national treasure. As a tribute, Mariza was invited to perform a tribute to Rodrigues’ memory, with the success prompting Mariza to be encouraged to then create an album dedicated to fado music. The result was 2001’s “Fado em Mim,” which was to be a wild success, selling over 140,000 copies, an incredible feat for an artist singing in this style. It helped to reignite interest in fado music in Portugal, finding a growing market for Mariza’s music.

Mariza continued to make music in this style, releasing her second album, “Fado Curvo” in 2003, helping lead the New Fado movement into the charts. The album featured reinterpretations of traditional fado standards, gaining international recognition for her music. She received BBC Radio 3’s award for ‘Best European Artist in World Music,’ and went on to appear on BBC’s popular “Later With Jools Holland” show. With growing popularity and national stardom Mariza was invited to sing at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, performing “A Thousand Years” as a duet with Sting.

Following an EBBA Award (European Border Breakers Awards) in 2004, she released her third album, “Transparante” a year later, recording the album in Brazil. Mariza toured across Australia, Finland, the US and Argentina in an attempt to spread her music. “Transparente” went on to reach the top ten in several countries, including The Netherlands, Spain and Finland.

In 2007, Mariza received a Latin Grammy nomination for ‘Best Folk Album,’ for her record, “Concerto em Lisbon.” This was followed by “Terra,” an album that incorporated jazz, flamenco, Latin and African sounds alongside her traditional fado. But in 2010, with “Fado Traditional,” she returned to the folk roots of fado, whilst maintaining her own unique style.