Zerui de Pina: “There are a lot of talented artists in Cape Verde who you need to know”

Zerui de Pina was born in Achada de Santo António, one of the most famous areas of the city of Praia in Cape Verde. Thanks to his uncle, Nho Jonsinho, a famous Cape Verdean violinist, his interest in music started at the age of eight with the help of his whole family, To Alves, Kim Alves, Kaku Alves, all the great musicians. Talaia Baixo, morna, coladeira, and the traditional batuque and funaná of ​​Santiago Island are rhythms that Zerui knows well and took with him to the United States, a country where he emigrated at the age of fifteen. He lived there for about thirty-five years, recorded three albums and accompanied many singers from his homeland. Maria de Barros, Fantcha, Bana and Nancy Vieira were some of the artists Zerui worked with. But he always found time for his songs. “There were three very difficult albums, because the artist who accompanies other musicians had difficulties, there was no time to stop in the studio. To prepare an album, we have to dedicate ourselves and be on time,” Cape explains. Verdean is a singer who has released several singles in recent years. “There are a lot of talented artists in Cape Verde that you need to know, so I recorded the duet “Ta txora dalegria” with Nadia and Tatiana, two young women living in the United States with very beautiful voices. Bius”, in honor of the great artist Bius, who is no longer with us, but whom we remember the great musician that he was. One of the big challenges for me was “Mi sem bo”. I wanted to prove my talent as “The artist and I must were to make a very different record. Four songs live continuously in the studio. It was recorded with great musicians, Calu Monteiro, Jim Job, Kim Alves, Ney Miranda,” recalls Zerui de Pina.
At the concert he gave in Lisbon, at the B.Leza, the singer performed themes composed by himself, as well as works by other artists he admires. On this trip through Europe, Zerui feels confident to prepare a new album as soon as he arrives in Praia. Even though he wants to keep releasing singles with some artists, his solo album is just around the corner.