Although Cesaria Evora Cape Verdean music has made famous worldwide, was there for the Cape Verdeans in the archipelago itself one artist towering over her protruding, the singer-guitarist Ildo Lobo (1953-2004). He was regarded as the greatest singer of Cape Verde, the morna singer who represented the soul of the people. His sudden death from a heart attack hit at fifty years of age as a bombshell
… in Cape Verde. Lobo came from a famous musical family from the island of Sal. The vocal talent he obviously inherited his father Antoninho Lobo, a famous singer in Cape Verde. At age Ildo already performed frequently. Over two decades, he was the lead singer of Os Tubarões. This socially committed group participated openly in the independence campaign. After the group early nineties fell apart, Lobo began a solo career. His debut album Nós Morna (1997) was a tribute to his father. On the albums Intelectual (2001) and Incondicional (2004, shortly before his death completed and released posthumously) Lobo was surrounded by Cesaria Evora's musicians and pianist-arranger Fernando (Nando) Andrade. Lobo's unassuming personality and community involvement sounded by its songs. Cape Verdeans know for sure: no one sang the morna more beautiful and touching than Lobo. (SvdP)more
