Virginia Rodrigues Biography
Virginia Rodrigues was an aspiring actress and singer when she caught the ear of Brazilian singer/songwriter Caetano Veloso. Veloso was so impressed by Rodrigues' sensuous vocals that he helped her to get a recording contract with the Hannibal label and produced her debut album Sol Negro. In a 1998 interview, Veloso recalled his reaction to Rodrigues' singing, "To hear this song in the celestial voice that came out of the plump body of a robust black woman moved me greatly. Her voice transcends the distinction between erudite and popular. I was deeply impressed with her unique timbre and her profound sensibility." Veloso was not alone in his praise. The New York Times called Rodrigues the "new voice in Brazilian music," while Joe Boyd, owner of Hannibal, said, "Virginia is fascinating because she's almost like post-modern samba, like a return to the roots."
Rodrigues' success contrasts with the poverty she experienced as a child. Her mother sold fruits and vegetables and her father sold ice cream in a local street market. Although her parents were unable to afford a phonograph player, she was introduced to music by her grandfather, who played accordion. As a member of a Catholic church choir, she sang Bach and baroque music and learned to read music. She taught herself basic piano in order to accompany herself when she practiced. On her debut album, Sol Negro, Rodrigues balanced a cappella tunes with songs that she recorded with the accompaniment of harp, contrabass or berimbau, and percussion. Guests on the album included Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, and Djavan. Rodrigues has maintained her connection with theater. She had a major role in the film Jenipapo and also appeared in Tieta Do Agreste and Diario De Un Convento. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Beyond twilight Biography: Deriving from an early 90's melodic metal quintet named Twilight, which issued just one album called Eye for an Eye before vanishing without a trace, Beyond Twilight was formed almost ten years later...
Cardiacs Biography: Combining the D.I.Y.-attitude of the early punk years with an affection for progressive rock acts such as Gong and Gentle Giant, the U.K. act the Cardiacs formed in late 1977 by Tim Smith, who...
Morgul Biography: When it was first conceived during the winter of 1990-1991, in the Oslo suburb of Råde, Norwegian black metal act Morgul consisted of minimally named drummer Hex and his multi-instrument...
Apocalyptica Biography: The Helsinki, Finland, quartet Apocalyptica comprised classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Max Lilja, Antero Manninen, and Paavo Lotjonen; formed in 1993, the group made waves internationally...
Astral projection Biography: The psychedelic trance outfit Astral Projection have gained respect and sales as one of the best in their field despite their base in Israel, far afield from the European dance mainstream. The group...
Davol Biography: New age composer/keyboardist Davol had an early interest in music, receiving classical piano training as a child and studying jazz and classical harpsichord in college. Electronic music also...
Soul ballet Biography: Masterminded by producer, arranger, programmer, and multi-instrumentalist Rick "R.K." Kelly, Soul Ballet mixes cool, smooth contemporary jazz with pulsating electronic beats and a surprisingly dark,...
Gorgoroth Biography: Guitarists Infernus and Tormentor are the center of the Norwegian black metal outfit Gorgoroth, which took its name from the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. Despite numerous lineup changes, especially in the...