INTERVIEW: Manel di Candinho believes that morna belongs to all the islands of Cabo Verde

*** By José Maria Varela, from Inforpress ***

Praia, June 8 (Inforpress) – Musician Manel di Candinho told Inforpress that morna belongs to the entire archipelago, arguing that each island interprets it in its own way, but shares the same cultural matrix.

Manuel dos Santos Pereira, artistically known as Manel di Candinho, believes that morna is a cultural expression common to all the islands of Cape Verde, a conviction that formed the basis of the instrumental album Rainha das Ilhas (Queen of the Islands), released in 2022.

In an interview with Inforpress, the guitarist, composer, arranger, and producer explained that the project was born from the intention to honor composers from across the archipelago and to demonstrate that the quality of morna interpretation does not depend on the geographical origin of the musicians.

Born in the town of Chaminé, in the municipality of São Domingos, on the island of Santiago, Manel di Candinho began his musical career in the 1970s, having developed a strong connection to music from an early age through the Catholic Church.

JMV/CP

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