Mariza explores flamenco on new CD 'Terra,' to kick off 47-city U.S. concert tour

Mariza

Mariza, one of Portugal's most recognized voices in the fado tradition, will put out her new album "Terra" on Jan. 27, two weeks before kicking off a multi-city concert tour across North America and Canada, starting Feb. 13 in Toronto.

A Cesaria Evora protegé, the Mozambique-born, London-bred singer is widely known for her deep, passionate voice and for putting a modern, fresh spin on dusted-off fado classics while adding her own personal multi-ethnic touch to the genre.

On "Terra," her fourth studio album, Mariza branches out to uncharted territory, exploring everything from Cuban rhythms to Spanish flamenco under the guidance of Javier Limón, a Grammy-nominated flamenco guitarist/producer (known for his work with Paco de Lucia, Bebo & Cigala, and Buika), who produced the album.

Among the disc's highlights is a new rendition of the classic "Smile," a tune that has been covered by many big-name music stars such as Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross and Judy Garland. This version includes the collaboration of noted Brazilian pianist Ivan Lins. Other guest artists include Cuban pianist and bandleader Chucho Valdés and Spanish percussion master El Piraña.

Even if you don't understand Portuguese, listening to Mariza's evocative and inspiring singing style makes the experience worth it, especially if you enjoy discovering new artists and their unique sounds.

Think of her as a musical hybrid between the vocal prowess of Mercedes Sosa and the passion and sadness of Cesaria Evora. A perfect match.

 Mariza's U.S. concert tour dates:

02/13/2009, Fri -- Toronto, ON,
02/14/2009, Sat -- Chicago, IL, 
02/15/2009, Sun -- Montreal, QC, 
02/17/2009, Tue - Quebec City, 
02/19/2009, Thu -- Amherst, MA,
02/20/2009, Fri -- Fairfield, CT, 
02/25/2009, Wed --Buffalo, NY,  
02/27/2009, Fri -- Greenvale, NY,
02/28/2009, Sat -- New York, NY,
03/01/2009, Sun --Philadelphia, PA,
03/03/2009, Tue -- Hanover, NH,
03/04/2009, Wed -- Burlington, VT,
03/06/2009, Fri -- Fairfax, VA, 

03/07/2009, Sat -- Pittsburgh, PA,
03/09/2009, Mon --Nashville, TN, 
03/10/2009, Tue -- Hampton, VA,
03/13/2009, Fri -- New Bedford, MA,
03/14/2009, Sat -- New Bedford, MA, 
03/15/2009, Sun -- New London, CT,
03/18/2009, Wed -- Los Angeles, CA,
03/19/2009, Thu -- Santa Barbara, CA,
03/21/2009, Sat -- Savannah, GA
03/27/2009, Fri -- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03/28/2009, Sat -- Miami, FL,
03/29/2009, Sun -- Atlanta, GA
03/31/2009, Tue -- Chapel Hill, NC
04/01/2009, Wed -- Richmond, VA
04/03/2009, Fri --Germantown, TN
04/04/2009, Sat -- Fayetteville, AR
04/05/2009, Sun -- St. Louis, MO
04/08/2009, Wed -- Madison, WI
04/10/2009, Fri -- Cleveland, OH
04/11/2009, Sat -- Detroit, MI
04/14/2009, Tue -- West Lafayette, IN
04/15/2009, Wed -- Urbana, IL
04/17/2009, Fri -- Seattle, WA
04/18/2009, Sat -- Vancouver, BC
04/20/2009, Mon -- Vancouver, BC
04/22/2009, Wed -- Boulder, CO
04/23/2009, Thu -- Santa Fe, NM,
04/25/2009, Sat -- Portland, OR

04/26/2009, Sun -- Eugene, OR
04/28/2009, Tue -- San Diego, CA
04/30/2009, Thu -- Napa, CA
05/01/2009, Fri -- Turlock, CA
05/02/2009, Sat -- San Francisco, CA