Grammy award-winning African singer Cesaria Evora has died, aged 70.
The singer, nicknamed the "barefoot diva" for always performing on stage without footwear, passed away at a hospital in Mindelo, on her native island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde, on Saturday (17Dec11).
Announcing the news on her label Lusafrica's website, a representative writes, "Cesaria Evora has passed away today saturday December 17th in Mindelo on her native island of Sao Vicente at hospital Baptista de Sousa... May she rest in peace."
Evora was forced to retire in September (11) due to ill health and underwent open-heart surgery last year (10).
Orphaned at a young age, she began her career singing in bars in her local African town as a teenager, and performed on cruise ships throughout the 1960s.
She was then invited to sing in Portugal, where she was spotted by musician Jose da Silva, who invited her to record for the first time in Paris, France.
From the 1980s she became internationally successful with her albums, going on to win a Grammy award in 2003 for her record Voz d'Amor in the World Music category.
After retiring in September (11) she said, "I have no strength, no energy. I want you to say to my fans: forgive me, but now I need to rest. I infinitely regret having to stop because of illness, I would have wanted to give more pleasure to those who have followed me for so long."
On the same day that Glastonbury welcomed back Margate's adopted sons, The Libertines, Margate itself put on it's very own Leisure Festival as it...
Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.
Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.
With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...
Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...
Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.
Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...
Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...