Fantcha

Fantcha is a Cape Verdean singer born Francelina Durão Almeida on October 14, 1956, in Mindelo. She joined the Flores do Mindelo carnival company at age 10 and received training from Gregorio Gonçalves. She was later mentored by Cesária Évora. In 1988, Almeida recorded in Lisbon for the singer Bana and performed in the United States with Évora. She released the studio recording Boa Viagem in 1988. Her discography included the albums Criolinha (1997), Viva Mindelo (2000), Amor Mar e Musica (2010), and Nôs Caminhada (2017). Almeida performed at venues including the Hollywood Bowl, the Chicago World Music Festival, and Joe’s Pub. Her musical style incorporated African, Cuban, and Portuguese influences. She appeared in a concert in Paris in 1998 with Évora and Ildo Lobo. Almeida lived in New York.

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