Queen of Morna, Cesária Évora, dies at 70

As some of you may have heard, Cape Verde singer Cesária Évora passed on December 17 2011, at the age of 70. She has performed at Ravinia Festival during the 2001 and 2007, but after a stroke in 2008, heart attack in 2010, and another stroke in 2011, she announced her retirement. She was famous for performing barefoot on stage, a gesture of solidarity with poor women around the world. She earned the title “Queen of Morna” over her career, but she was also known to sing in her country’s more upbeat styles, coladeria and funaná. Her international fame opened doors for a younger generation of Cape Verdean musicians to embrace the morna style of music, and help share it with the world.

She is survived by her children, Eduardo and Fernana, and two grandchildren. Our hearts are with her family in this very hard time, she irreplaceable talent that will be surely missed around the globe. Even if you are unfamiliar with her music, you cannot help but fall in love. We have also included a Spotify playlist for you of her most loved songs.