Candida Rose Biography

Jazz/Gospel/Cape Verdean/R&B 
Vocalist/Composer/Arranger



Born, raised, and currently residing in New Bedford, Massachusetts, vocal artist “Candida Rose” captivates her audiences with the golden aura of her radiant presence and stirs them with a uniquely compelling voice that combines the overtones and undertones of jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel with just the right touch of international spice.
  

Candida Rose’s 10-song debut CD entitled “KabuMerikana: The Sum of Me”, combines her Cape Verdean musical roots with her American influences to bring a fresh new take on world/jazz music which she calls “KabuJazz”. This CD brings together world (Cape Verdean) and jazz musicians on jazz standards such as “Afro Blue” and “That’s All” and Cape Verdean standards such as “Sodade” and “Amor di Mai”.  This CD also shows off some of her songwriting, composing, arranging and production talents and skills on songs such as “Kabu Verdi, Un Dia”, “Karta Pa Nha Pai” and “Too Late to Turn Back Now”.  These performances combine the musicianship of noted Cape Verdean talents, Carlos “Kalu” Monteiro and Djim Job, with jazz notables, saxophonist Javon Jackson and bassist/guitarist Santi Debriano, among others.   Nationally known poet Everett Hoagland contributes with the spoken word/song, title track “Sum of Me (Un Poku di Tude/A Little of All)”. 
 

Candida Rose is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth where she graduated “Magna Cum Laude” with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Music (African-American/World music) and a minor in African and African/American Studies. Under the guidance of artist/educators such as: Santi Debriano, Marcelle Gauvin, John Harrison III, Tim Harbold, royal hartigan, Semenya McCord and Andy McWain, she was active in several ensembles, including the UMASS Dartmouth Gospel Choir, the UMASS Dartmouth Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Creative Arts Jazz Ensemble, and the Kekeli African Drum and Dance Ensemble. Her final senior recital entitled “Sum of Me” represented all of her musical influences from gospel, jazz/blues, and Cape Verdean cultural roots, and included several original compositions. Candida had the honor of singing the U.S. National Anthem during UMASS Dartmouth’s 2005 graduation ceremony from which she graduated. In addition, as a representative of UMASS Dartmouth, Candida was chosen to sing with the world renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra during “UMASS Night at the Pops” 2007.  She has added to her jazz vocal education endeavors by participating in workshops such as “JAZZ IN JULY” at UMASS Amherst under the instruction of world-renowned jazz vocal artist Sheila Jordan. 

In addition to being a committed vocal artist, Candida is also a wife, mother, grandmother and dedicated teacher and mentor to many of New Bedford’s aspiring young vocalists.  Prior to formal education and training, Candida Rose developed her impressive vocal interpretations and her broad repertoire over 20 years of experience singing with local and nationally known jazz, R & B, and funk bands and individual artists.  More recently, her experiences are derived from her focused work as a music/choir director, arranger, and composer with her church choir, the Union Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, and other local

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


groups. Her work as a vocalist for various civic events and with local youth-oriented programs has earned her the New Bedford Branch, “NAACP, Artistic Service Excellence Award” and several honors from the New Bedford City Council.  She has performed on several occasions for the Mayor of New Bedford (including the Mayoral Inauguration), and has performed for several events during the election campaign and after the election of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.  She recently represented New Bedford’s ECHO Project (a federally funded program through the Dept. of Education) during an 8-week Festival of Performing Arts tour traveling to Hawaii, Washington (DC)/NYC (National Museum of the American Indian), various parts of Massachusetts, and Alaska.


Candida Rose has performed with many masterful local, national, and internationally known musicians from both the jazz and world music arenas including:  Rick Britto, Agusto Cego, Armsted Christian, Santi Debriano, Andre Hayward, John Harrison III, royal hartigan, Fred Ho, Tim Ingles, Javon Jackson, Herb King, John Kordalewski, Bill Lowe, Semenya McCord, Hafez Modirzadeh, Lello Molinari, Shawnn Monteiro, Bill Pierce, Curtis Rivers, Manny Santos, Jackie Santos, Stan Strickland, Frank Wilkins, to name a few.   Not to mention a very special performance with 6-time “Grammy Award” Nominee, Kurt Elling.  She has opened and performed for renowned world music vocalist Maria DeBarros. In addition, her gospel credits include solo performances with the National Center of Afro-American Artists' production of Langston Hughes' “Black Nativity”.  She has also been a member of New England Conservatory's “Millennium Choir”.  Her international credits include recent performances at two major festivals in Cape Verde; one as back-up vocalist at the Festival di Santa Maria on the Island of Sal with Perry Lee “Tiny” Tavares of the famed “Grammy Award” winning group “Tavares”, and a guest solo performance at the Festival di Gamboa in Praia on the Island of Santiago with Cape Verdean sensations ZeRui DePina and To’ Alves.

 

Candida's current side endeavors include participation in Patti Mae Mello's Jazzy Lady Soul Revue with 6 other talented vocalists from the New Bedford, MA area.  These vocalists travel the New England area performing jazz, Motown/Soul, and R&B bits from the 30's and 40's to present.  She is also a featured vocalist with MSQ (Manny Santos Quartet), a jazz group made up of various musicians from the Boston area lead by drummer Manny Santos.

 

Candida Rose has performed at noted Boston area jazz clubs such as The Good Life, Ryles Jazz Club, and Scullers Jazz Club.  As part of the Manny Santos Quintet she has performed for Boston’s prestigious “Steppin’ Out” gala alongside artists such as the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Oleta Adams, Bobby Caldwell, and Andre Ward.  She also performs at Capriccio's in downtown Providence, RI, Castle Hill Inn and Resort in Newport, RI and has performed at Foxwood's B.B. KING Nite Club in Connecticut.  She has been featured on several local and regional radio and television programs including Boston’s NPR station, WGBH (89.7 FM) with “Eric in the Evening” and on "All Things Considered", and has appeared on Boston’s WHDH Channel 7 on “Urban Update”. 

 

Whether at a gospel revival, jazz night, Cape Verdean fundraiser, or R&B Soul Revue, Candida Rose continues to amaze audiences with her diverse vocal performances. But more importantly, she reaches out with her heart and soul and touches everyone in her presence. Wherever you happen to catch her performance, be prepared to catch your breath!!