Biography
Joana
Amendoeira is considered one of the most important singers of the "New
Generation".
In
her singing, Fado wins new glow, new attitude, without deviating from
tradition.
Joana
Amendoeira was born in Santarém (Ribatejo), on 30th September 1982 and very
soon discovered her appeal to sing Fado. In 1995, participated at the “Grande Noite do Fado do Porto”, where she
won the first prize for female interpretation.
From
this year started with regular performances in auditoriums and theaters around
the country.
In
1998, she went the first time abroad, where she performed in the event "Days of Portugal”, organized by
ICEP in Budapest (Hungary) and recorded her first album «Olhos Garotos», which
makes her one of the youngest Fado singers with recorded albums.
In
2000, released her second album «Aquela Rua» and was invited to the most
prestigious national record collections, such as «New Voices, New Fado» from
EMI / VC, «New Biography of Fado» from EMI / VC, the album «Tribute to Moniz
Pereira» (Universal), and participated also on the soundtrack of the television
series "Jóia de Africa".
In
2003, released her third album «Joana Amendoeira» that had instant recognition
throughout the community of Fado, critics and public.
The
tour of this album taked her to different countries such as Holland, Spain,
France, and Austria and allowed her to be chosen among many candidates to
present her show in several trade shows of world music, as the Mercat de Musica Viva de Vic 2003
(Spain) and Strictly Mundial 2005 (Canada).
Even
in 2003, participated in album tribute to Carlos do Carmo «Novo Homem na Cidade», alongside with some of the most important
interpreters: Camané, Sara Tavares, Mariza, Martinho da Vila, Tito Paris, among
others.
In
2004, received the “Revelation Award” from the Casa da Imprensa (House Press) and released the album «Ao vivo em
Lisboa», in 2005. Her first live album, recorded in the first solo show in one
of the most prestigious halls of Lisbon, Teatro
Municipal São Luiz.
Musically
directed by Custódio Castelo, the album «À Flor da Pele» (2006) was released
all over the world by Le Chant du monde/Harmonia Mundi.
Then
there were tours through Europe, from the Concertgebouw
in Amsterdam to the Royal Opera House in London, from the Teatrum Millenáris Park in Budapest to
return to London to perform at the Queen
Elisabeth Hall. Also in Budapest, performed in Sportarena, for more than 14.000 persons invited by the hungarian
singer Zorán, in his 30th career anniversary.
In
Portugal, she made one of the shows most emblematic of her life story with the Orchestra of the Algarve. After this
experience born the idea to create an ensemble to join the voice of Joana
Amendoeira and her quartet, concert that was presented in the Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon, under
the Fado Festival, in 2008.
Emerged
as her sixth record «Joana Amendoeira & Mar ensemble», this time recorded
and filmed to become a live album with bonus DVD.
In
2009, the Amália Rodrigues Foundation
gave this album the prize for "Best Fado Album 2008".
In
2010, Joana Amendoeira presented her seventh album «Sétimo Fado», an original
work that combines the traditional Fado and new compositions with arrangements
of accordion, piano and cello. Performed at Coliseu
do Porto, at Lisboa CCB-Grande
Auditório, in Badasom Festival, at
Teatro Coliseo of Buenos Aires and
Sala Zitarrosa in Montevideo and made the New Year’s Eve Concert with
Lithuanian Orchestra, in Vilnius.
Throughout
Joana’s career she performed in Clube de Fado and Sr.Vinho, the best Lisbon´s Fado Houses and had the opportunity to learn from elderly Fado singers and
guitar players. They all recognize her special voice, her attitude, her talent
and kindly passed to her their skills, poetry and live stories.
In
2012, she released her latest album «Amor mais perfeito-Tributo a José Fontes
Rocha», totally dedicated to her master, one of the most important composers
and Portuguese guitar players that died, at age of 84, one year before this
recording.
Her
career includes eight albums, many prizes, showcases at world trade fairs and tours
in countries such as Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, Sweden, UK, Hungary,
Lithuania, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, India, among others.
During
2013, had the opportunity to present this album and celebrate her 15th
discography anniversary, in many countries as Brazil, France, Spain,
Switzerland, Hungary, Lithuania, in Cape Verde at the “Kriol Jazz Festival”
singing with the Cape Verdean singer Nancy Vieira, and in Italy also performed
with Orchestra Academia del Concerto.
In
2014, Joana Amendoeira continues to tour in many countries as USA, Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Romania, Brazil, Spain and Switzerland and will prepare her
new album edition, the ninth of her career, at the end of the year.
Joana proudly defends Fado legacy without ever
forgetting her own artistic expression.
