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- Singer Ramana Vieira, 1970+
- Singer Ana Moura, 1979
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Ramana Vieira is a contemporary American singer of the traditional Portuguese Fado.
Vieira was born to Portuguese immigrants who settled in San Leandro, just east of San Francisco, California. She attended local San Leandro schools, then studied the performing arts at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Vieira said that as a young singer she had no interest in performing fado until she visited Portugal when she was 16 years old.
Vieira recorded her debut album, Sem Ti (Without You) in 2000. In 2004, she self - released a CD titled Despi a Alma (I Undressed My Soul). The album included the song Para Amar which was included in a video montage for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Vieira was among the performers who sang at the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony. In 2009, she released the album Lagrimas De Rainha (Tears of a Queen), which (according to Vieira's press releases), reached number 43 on the World Music Radio charts.
Ana Moura (born 1979 in Santarém, Portugal) is an internationally recognized Portuguese fado singer, and the youngest fadista to be nominated for a Dutch Edison Award.
Ana Moura was born in the district capital of Santarém.
Ana Moura debut album was "Guarda-me a vida na mão" (2003), followed by "Aconteceu" (2005). She sang in various nightspots in Lisbon and became known on television, performing fado with Antonio Pinto Basto.
"Para Além da Saudade" (2007), containing songs such as "Os Buzios" or "Fado da Procura", is the album that followed "Aconteceu". With this album and appearances on programs such as Family Contact and Superstar, Ana Moura became more widely known in Portugal. These television appearances helped her to promote this record, which was to reach triple platinum for sales exceeding 55,000 units. The album stayed in the Top 30 in Portugal for 120 weeks. For this album, Moura received a nomination for the Golden Globes in the category of Music, Best Individual Performer, losing to Jorge Palma.
In 2007, Ana Moura joined the Rolling Stones in concert at the Alvalade XXI stadium in Lisbon. She sang "No Expectations" with Mick Jagger.
After two big concerts in coliseums of Porto and Lisbon, Ana Moura launched her first live DVD on November 24, 2008, which has enjoyed great success with the public. She appeared at the World Music Institute concert.
With the recognition from critics came also the recognition of peers, and in 2008, Ana Moura received the prize for "best performance Amalia".
In 2009 the rock artist Prince stated he was a fan of fado, and expressed interest in collaborating musically with Ana, Prince traveled to Lisbon in July last year.
Her latest album, "Leva-me aos Fados" ("Take Me to a Fado House"), released on 12 October 2009 (presented at the Casa da Musica - Porto Coliseum and Lisbon on 20 and 21 October), has gone platinum, and reached the Top 10 of best selling albums. With songs such as "Leva-me aos Fados" (single presentation), "Caso Arrumado" "Rumo ao Sul" and "Fado Vestido de Fado" Ana Moura delights her audience. Ana has begun to tour in the country and abroad, with concerts in northern Portugal, London, Canada, Austria and Germany.
She appeared at the 2010 and 2011 San Francisco Jazz Festival.
Ana Moura is currently one of the most prestigious fadistas in Portugal, known for her excellent tone of voice, attractive appearance and connection with her audience.