The Cape Verde
Music Award winner for the best instrumentalist of 2010 >>
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Biography
Hernani Almeida was born on April 7th 1978 in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde
Islands.
He starts his musical activity at the age of 7 with a little keyboard that
he replaces at the age of 14 by a guitar, instrument that remains his
favourite till nowadays.
In 1994, he formed his first rock band « What », immediately catching the
attention of the main Capeverdean artists.
After an invitation of Gerard Mendes (Boy G.), he starts playing traditional
music, in an European tour.
Since then, he started playing with the big names of Capeverdean music,
Bau, Sara Tavares, Tcheka, Mayra Andrade.
In 1997 he joins the Bau formation (Cesaria Evora’s former guitarist) to record two
albums, and sign a few compositions.
Between 2000 and 2004, he learns classical music and jazz in the
Conservatory of Music of Oporto, in Portugal.
In 2004, he works again with Tcheka in the album "Nu monda", where he was
the musical director.
This album is rewarded with the prize “Découvertes RFI (International France
Radio) Musique du Monde”.
in 2005 he’s named “best guitarist” and, in 2006, “best artist” of the
national prize "Nôs Música", awards given annually to recognize the best
Capeverdean artists.
Finally, at the age of 28, he decides to record his first solo album, called
"Afronamim".
Meanwhile he pursued with his career, namely being producer and musical arranger.
"Afronamim" was his first solo CD, and Hernani encircled himself with a private trio,
constituted by the musicians who habitually play with Cesária Évora, to record ten
instrumental songs,
influenced by different musical currents, afro and jazz, nourished by a
certain Creole soul and by traditional rhythms as morna, coladeira and
funaná.
« (…) A spellbinding album which proves us, the already big adulthood of
this artist.
Hernani Almeida, talented guitarist, instills a breath of fresh air in the
capeverdean music ». Dominique Robelin
« (…) Hernani, is in my point of view the hope of the Capeverdean music,
because of his natural inspiration and his desire to raise the music by a
certain discipline ».
Paulino Vieira
"Afronamim"
First Concert
Afronamim
First Live
Performing - Click on the pictures to enlarge
Artist biography as musical director, studios, concerts & tours
• 1997 - Dany Mariano, Boy G. Mendes, Bau, Voginha e Herminia
• 1999 * 2000 - Bau ( Blimundo, Harmonia);
• 2001- Mayra Andrade, Sara Tavares;
• 2002- Dulce Matias (Mel d’cana, Atlantic productions); Bau (Silencio,
Harmonia), Dudu Araujo (Pidrinha, Rb records); Tcheka (Argui,
Lusafrica, Harmonia);
