Re: Imagining Banda Monte Cara - The seed of African culture in Portugal
In 1976, Bana inaugurates in Lisbon the first space dedicated to the culture of Cape Verde , at Rua do Sol ao Rato, which gave the name of a natural monument on the island of São Vicente: Monte Cara
Monte Cara became the first African cultural space in Portugal: a meeting point, a night club; a school and music laboratory, where singers and instrumentalists had the opportunity to perfect their talent; a publisher responsible for the release of some of the best music records in Cape Verde
It was a meeting place for musicians who arrived in Lisbon with the desire to present the best of the sounds and traditions of their islands, assuming an indelible role in popularizing the culture of African Portuguese speaking countries. It welcomed, still young, several musicians and singers from the islands - well-known names like Armando Tito, Celina Pereira, Cesária Évora, Fantcha, Paulino Vieira, Tito Paris, Toy Vieira, among many others.
Leonel Almeida in the voice, Zé António on the guitar, Toy Paris on the drums and Manuel Paris on the bass now revive the mythical band Monte Cara - which gave so much pleasure to those who danced and listened to it on those nights of the 70s and 80s.
The objective is to record an EP of new versions of seven emblematic themes, with the musical production of Tito Paris and which also includes the special participation of Toy Vieira on keyboards.
For the realization of this project , the first in a series that aims to document and relive the memory of Monte Cara , this crowdfunding campaign is now launched.
We count on you!
In 1976, Bana opens in Lisbon the first venue dedicated to the culture of Cape Verde, at Rua do Sol ao Rato, named after a natural monument in the island of São Vicente: Monte Cara.
Monte Cara became the first african cultural venue in Portugal: a meeting point, a night club; a music school and laboratory, where singers and players had the opportunity to refine and shine their talent; a label dedicated to the release of some of the best music records in Cape Verde.
It was a rendez-vous for musicians who arrived in Lisbon with the desire to show the best of the sounds and traditions of their islands, assuming an indelible role in popularizing the culture of portuguese speaking african countries. Several musicians and singers from the islands have been welcomed here in their early ang younger years - well-known names like Armando Tito, Celina Pereira, Cesária Évora, Fantcha, Paulino Vieira, Tito Paris, Toy Vieira, among many others.
35 years later, Leonel Almeida's voice, Zé António's guitar, Toy Paris's drums and Manuel Paris's bass now bring back to life the mythical band Monte Cara - the resident band that granted such pleasant nights to those who came to listen and dance to their music in the 70s and 80s. The goal is to record an EP of new versions of seven emblematic songs, with Tito Paris as musical producer and a featuring a special participation of Toy Vieira on keyboards.
To accomplish this project, the first of a series that intends to document and revive the memory of Monte Cara, this crowdfunding campaign is now launched.
We're counting on your support!
