Maria João in Budapest

Key figures of the contemporary Portuguese jazz scene, Maria João and pianist Mario Laginha will perform their new CD, titled Chocolate in Budapest’s Palace of Arts (MüPa) next Monday (Dec 8).


Maria João was born in 1956, in Lisbon. Whilst growing up, Maria never thought about becoming a singer. In her teenage years she used to practice Aikido and she swam a lot in order to get rid of some of the overwhelming energy she possessed.
By the age of 17, when she had already been expelled from 5 different schools, her love for sports gave her a black belt at Aikido and she also became a swimming teacher. Aged 27, when she was training to be a lifeguard, she realised that she had the potential to become a professional singer.
While she is typically lumped with the “jazz” moniker, her music incorporates an eclectic mix of various ethnic musics, modern jazz, and the avant-garde. Depending on the thematic slant of a release, electronica, symphonic and other genres have been thrown into the mix as well.
Her cooperation with Mário Laginha dates back to the early 90s, while their first duo-album, Cor, that gave both of them a huge recognition, was recorded in 1998.
Since then, the couple have split and reunited several times.
Their new album to be presented at the Budapest concert is a mix of well-known jazz standards, and own compositions (with the lyrics written by Mário Laginha).

The BpSun Staff

03.12.2008