Mick Hartley

Another loss: the barefoot diva from Cape Verde:

She was the undisputed queen of morna. As this clip shows, it's probably closest in style to Portuguese fado: hardly surprising given that Cape Verde – an archipelago off the west coast of Africa – was originally colonised by the Portuguese.  Saudade, of course, is a very Portuguese sentiment: a vague nostalgic yearning for something that's gone. Perhaps it's not too far-fetched to suggest that the melancholy feel of the music may have something to do with the history of Cape Verde as a centre of the Atlantic slave trade.

Some of her best early songs, from a 1995 Paris concert, can be seen on YouTube: Saudade (again), Angola, and Miss Perfumado. She sits at her on-stage cafe table until the time comes to sing, at which point she stubs out her cigarette and strolls up to the front. Annoyingly though the sound is a bit out of synch. Alternatively there's a good tribute video here, plus a brief biography (if you click on show more).