Mariza

Described by the New York Times as "the Sade of Fado", Mozambique-born, Lisbon-raised Mariza has brought the Portuguese artform of Fado to a global audience through a series of acclaimed albums and her unforgettable live shows.Her first album 'Fado em Mim' ('Fado in Me') was released in 2001 and in every year since Mariza's profile - and that of Fado - around the world has increased. She has won the First Award for Most Outstanding Performance at the Quebec Summer Festival and the BBC Radio 3 Best European World Music Artist Award; performed in Central Park, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and at the Womad Festival; and outsold all other contemporary Fado singers many times over.After releasing her first live DVD, appearing with Sting on the Official Album of the Olympic Games in 2004 and a show-stopping performance on 'Later with Jools Holland' Mariza released her latest studio album 'Transparente' ('Transparent') in 2005. It saw her branching out her sound and incorporating more jazz and African influences. That year also saw her take part in the Eden Project section of Live 8 in Cornwall and become a UNICEF ambassador for Portugal. At the end of 2006 she released her stunning live CD and DVD 'Concerto em Lisboa'.