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CASSANDRA ALLEN
The Mediterranean
Experience
Avda. Profesor Lopez Pinero, 1 Palau de les Arts – Anexo Sur 46013 Valencia, Spain
Phone: 443-447-2985
E-Mail: caallen@berklee.edu Web: cassandraallenofficialpage.con
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
INDEX
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Introduction
Overviw
Exploration
Cape Verde
Morna
1.Morna- Instrumentation
1.2 Morna – Structure- Harmonic & Melodic
1.3 Morna – And the Blues
2. Morna – Musicians in the states
2.1 Morna- Platform Star
My Works
Why? Sodade
Why? Angola
Why? Besame Mucho
Professional Package
Conclusion
2
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
3
Introduction
Hello, I’m Cassandra Allen, a vocalist from small town Jackson, MI.
I come from an extremely musical family. I was blessed to be born
into a family of very talented people, everyone in my family has the
ability sing or play music. So music has been apart of me, since I was a
child. I started singing at the age of 10. I began with the children’s choir
at Michigan State University.
This choir exposed me to the study of classical music, mostly choral
music. Around the age of 18 I began individual study of the voice. One of
my choir director said to me “you should really consider studying
classical voice as a career goal”. So at 18 that’s when I decided to
audition for schools to become an opera/recital performer.
My main focus was classical music. I eventually ended up getting a
scholarship to study at Howard University under the tutelage of Ms.
Charlotte Holloman, Here, I honed my skills and went on to perform at
many different venues and win competitions. After graduating Howard
University. I realized very quickly, to live and eat off of being a
musician is a hard thing to do when you are starting out a career. So I
eventually ended up getting a job at an advertising firm. I hated it! And
had to find a way out. I knew my way out was to go back to my first love.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
4
Music.
So, I search for a program that would expand my knowledge as a musician
and offer me the opportunity not to just be a Classical Vocalist but a
vocalist with verity of styles and genre’s. So that’s when I came across
the Berklee school of music Valencia website. I felt I had struck gold.
The contemporary performance program provided me all the elements I
was looking from in a school.
Sense being at Berklee Valencia, This campus, it’s students and the
faculty , have inspired me to dig deeper into my musical ability. The
faculty has pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing and
expanded my knowledge of music and the limitless possibilities there are
when it comes to cultivating your musical goals.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
Overview
Over the Christmas break I had the opportunity to explore my
background and my finding were interesting. Turn’s out I am a melting
pot of different cultures ranging from Spanish to west Indian, west
African to polish.
My findings have inspired me to focus my sights on music from for the
mediterranean. In this project, I will be focusing on music for cape
Verde, and specifically music performed by Cesaria Evora.
I will be recording a collection of songs in memory of the late
great Cesaria Evora. I will be discussing the history of Cape Verde
musical styles and what cape Verdeans are known for and the link
between the styles and Cesaria Evora’s career, I will also briefly discuss
the African and Spanish rhythm and why they are so closely related.
At the end of my informational portion of the presentation. I will
discuss each piece I recorded, Then play it for the viewing committee. I
hope you enjoy. (Please note: The overview portion of this paper is a
brief outline of what is presented in the live lecture presentation.)
5
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
Exploration
Sense my arrival at Berklee Valencia and being exposed to many
different Genre’s it has inspired me dig deep into the mediterranean
culture, my heritage, and explore the possibility of singing different
styles of music. Before, I go into the different styles of music, Let me
tell you a little about the Island Country Cape Verde
Cape Verde
Cape Verde or (the Republic of Cape Verde), is an island
country
spanning an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the
central Atlantic Ocean. Located 570 kilometres (350 miles) off the coast
of Western Africa. The islands cover a combined area of slightly over
4,000 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi). Three (Sal, Boa Vista and Maio )
are fairly flat, sandy and dry; the others generally rockier with more
vegetation. So, Now that we know a bit about Cape Verde lets go into it
folk music.
6
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
7
Morna
Morna is noted as one of the most popular genre of Cape Verdean
music and is the national music of Cape Verde. Morna goes back about a
150 years,
and is complex hybrid of African and European cultures
Some
musicologists trace the genre back to a genre called
the lundum (or lundu), from Africa, most likely Angola. It is a dancesong from the Bantu tribe, which spread through various regions of
Africa, most likely Angola. It is a dance-song from the
Bantu tribe, which spread through various regions of Africa. Slaves
brought it to Brazil, where it was very popular among the elite and even
became Brazil’s first national dance. Lundum is related to the Spanish
fandango and new world dances like the bolero.
All of these include
scarfs, castanets, and holding arms over the head. There was also a genre
in Cape Verde called the choros, which are plaintive songs, like working
songs.
Morna is therefore considered a cross between the lundum and the
choros. Initially, morna did not have any romantic themes; they
developed along with the genre.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
8
1.Morna – Instrumentation
The
main
instrument
associated
with
the morna is
the guitar,
popularly called “violão” in Cape Verde. In its most simple form, a guitar
is enough to provide the accompaniment for another solo instrument that
can be another guitar, a violin (popularly called “rabeca” in Cape Verde),
the singer’s voice or any other melodic instrument.
A medium-sized band may have, besides a guitar, a cavaquinho (that plays
the chords rhythmically), a ten or twelve string guitar (popularly called
“viola” in Cape Verde, that provides an harmonic support), a solo
instrument besides the singer’s voice and some percussion instrument. A
bigger band may have another guitar, an acoustic bass guitar, more than
one solo instrument (violin, clarinet, trumpet, etc.) and several
percussion instruments (shaker, güiro, bongos, etc.).
The
strumming
of
the morna articulates
a bass (played
with
the
thumb,marking the accentuation of the rhythm) with chords (played with
the other fingers, either in an arpeggio, rhythmically, or in a combination
of both). morna can also be performed on a piano, with the left hand
providing the bass and the accompaniment and the right hand providing
the accompaniment and the melody.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
9
1.2 Morna – Structure
Harmonic Structure
Morna obeys the cycle of fifths. The harmonic progression starts in
a chord (the tonic) of a certain tonality, the second chord is the lower
fifth (the subdominant), the third chord is the same as the first and the
fourth chord is the upper fifth (the dominant seventh).
These chords — tonic, dominant seventh, subdominant — have in Cape
Verde the popular names of “primeira”,Aminors first Am “segunda” A
minor’s second E 7th,
and “terceira” A minor’s third
dm, respectively of
the tonality in question.The structure has been developed with passing
chords as of more recent composers have changed the basic structure.
Melodic Structure
The melodic line of the morna varies a lot through the song, with
ascending and descending note sequences, and within a bar the notes
generally do not have the same length. One frequent characteristic of
the morna is the syncopation.
There are several models of the form Morna uses for example: ABABAB,
ABCBABCB, ACBACB, AABCCB. The ABABAB form is what you will
here an example of later in the presentation.
Rhythmic Structure
In most cases Morna is characterized by a lento tempo with a two
beat or four beat bar, Using a strophic form, more known as a repeating
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
10
chorus or verse form. Which means the lyrics would be sung using the
same repeated music. Below is a rhythmic example of Morna.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
11
1.3 Morna – And The Blues
Morna is often compared to the blues; there is little research on the
relationship between the genres, though there are interesting
similarities and significant cultural connections between Cape Verde
and the United States.
The music is characterized by a slow tempo. The main instrument is a
guitar. From my own interpretation of the two styles I’ve found Blues
and Morna feed off one another. For example, the word (Morna)
think comes from
it comes from the English word “to mourn”.
some
Others
say it comes from the French word “morne”, which is the name of the
hills in French Antilles where chanson des mornes are sung.
Most
writers think, however, that the name is from the Portuguese “morno”
meaning “warm”, a reference to the way morna is sung. Like the blues
Morna developed from an oppressed people expressing they sadness and
longing for home and/or homeland. The blues a melancholic music of
brown America folk origin, typically in a twelve-bar sequence. It
developed in rural southern US toward the end of the 18th century,
finding a wider audience in the 1940’s as brown Americans migrated to
the cities.
The urban blues gave rise to rhythm and blues and rock and roll.
Blues carries with it the feeling of melancholy, sadness, or depression
which is directly related to the same feeling of Morna.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
12
2. Morna – Musicians in the states
Paul Gonsalves, a Cape Verdean from New Bedford, was one of
Duke Ellington’s greatest tenor saxophonist players, He is most well
known for being the instigator of one of the great stories of jazz
history, when he blew a `legendary 27-chorus solo at the 1956 Newport
Jazz Festival that threw the audience into fits
Bebop pianist Horace Silver was actually Horace Silva, son of a
Cape Verdean father and an Irish-African mother. He didn’t foray too
deeply into Cape Verdean musical territory, but did make some island
references on two of his most famous compositions: “The Cape Verdean
Blues” and the bossa “Song for my Father.”
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
13
Some 1st and 2nd generation Cape Verdeans were just as comfortable
with jazz, blues and soul as they were with morna and coladeira, and
some musicians could play it all …….so with all that information, I
would like to take a min an talk about one of the greatest morna
performers to date Cesaria Evora
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
14
2.1 Morna – Platform Star
Cape Verde and its national music morna has a tremendous history
and with it’s influence it has produced an international superstar
named Cesária Évora.
She is the best internationally known morna singer from São Vicente
Island who sings primarily in Cape Verdean Creole. Cesaria, better known
as the “barefoot diva” has sung mornas in concert all over the world. The
morna "Sodade" was her first international hit, the first hit for a nonFrench song in France, and marked the beginning of worldwide fame for
morna. The Portuguese term saudade is complex and infamously difficult
to translate, related to homesickness, nostalgia, longing, sadness, and
regret. The expression of "sodade" is integral to Cape Verdean music.
The first major morna composers and performers were Manel d'Novas
and B. Leza (Cesária Évora's uncle). In later years, Os Tubarões brought
Cape Verdean music beyond Cape Verde's borders, setting the stage for
the rise of performers like Évora, Tito Paris, Ildo Lobo, Lura, Teófilo
Chantre, and Maria De Barros. Morna and other styles of Cape Verdean
music are also played in Cape Verdean immigrant communities abroad,
especially in New England in the US, Portugal, the Netherlands, France,
West
Africa,
and
parts
of
Latin
America.
(For Video interview with
Cesaria Evora Please See Presentation Slide 12 that goes along with this
paper.)
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
15
My Works
Here are the Top 3 recordings I will discuss. The Complete layout of all
the songs are on my website Cassandraallenofficialpage.com
Sodade
Angola
Besame Mucho
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
16
Why? Sodade
I decided to recording Sodade because, when I first heard the piece
it gave me chills and I knew the moment I heard the piece, I wanted to
explore the origins of this music. This piece is the reason why I
decided to explore the Mediterranean.
What is different about my arrangement?
I used mid-eastern percussion (Baca, Cajon, Shakers) Instruments as
well as traditional cape Verde instruments along with multiple vocal
overdubs using major 2nd and 3rd , minor 2nd and 3rd,
and Perfect 4th
harmonies. I decided to make my recording with more of an intimate
feel, yet continuing with the integrity of a traditional Morna style.
Using 3 elements Voice, Guitar and Percussion.
Why? Angola
I decided to record and Angola because allot of the music from Cape
Verde is directly linked to Angola. The music from Angola and its
people have influenced the world, and I thought it was important to
include a piece dedicated to the country.
What is different about my arrangement?
I decided to use Congas, multiple voice overdubs using major 2nd and
3rdminor 2nd and 3rd, and Perfect 4th harmonies. When listening to this
arrangement
one
has
to
be
encompassed
by
the
percussion.
The
percussion is the meat of this piece. (why?) Because like previously
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
17
discussed earlier in this paper, Morna is a music that is derived from a
music called Lundum or (Lundu) which comes from Africa and Africans
are historically known for there incredible rhythmic talent and ability.
So, that’s what you will feel and hear in this piece. The percussion ,
the rhythm rules in this particular arrangement.
Why? Besame Mucho
Besame Mucho is a piece I’ve always loved and is one of the first
pieces, I had the chance to record and engineer. I was able to receive a
new perspective on the recording process and became better equip with
my ability to engineer.
What is different about my arrangement?
This piece stays fairly close to the classic way of performing this piece
(Voice and Guitar) I added different harmonies by overdubbing my
voice and adding variations of malizma’s throughout the piece. I
decided I wanted this piece to keep close to the classic style because it
embodied the classic morna sound using only guitar and voice. Being
that this piece is originally a bolero it completely relates to Morna
because of the history of morna. The Bolero is taken from the African
music Lundum or Lundu which is now consequently called Morna. In
turn leaving the Bolero and extended form of Morna now called the
Bolero.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
18
Professional Package
Below is a screen shot of my website, there you will find listening
samples of my work, you will also be able to find out more about me by
clicking on to my Biography page, in addition you will be able to view a
gallery of photos and take a look at my video’s and recent news.
Preparing this package was extremely important to me because, in a
highly competitive field you have to put your best foot forward and
preparing a package was the first step to success. Please feel free to visit
my site CassandraAllenofficialpage.com.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
19
Conclusion
In Conclusion, I have had a great musical journey while living here
in Spain, I’ve gotten the opportunity to learn how to record music/
engineer sessions, compose music, and create music video’s.
I’ve gained the knowledge of all aspects of the recording process,
applying the technic and technological ability to each session and
mastering all multi-layered aspects of the recording process, including
post production and pre-production operations. Throughout the course of
the year I’ve been exposed to music industry operations and have
procured information that will aid me in the future. This year will be a
year I will never forget, I am thankful for being able to work with such
talented musicians, and being able to explore many different genres of
music. This journey specifically related to this CE is the work of cesaria
Evora. I believe her work and her music, is a reflection of her travel,
family and longing for home but, knowing that she needed to take the
journey for hopes of a better and prosperous life.
Which consequently is a direct reflection of my travel and
exploration here in Spain, I came to grow and learn in hopes to better my
knowledge and provide a prosperous life for my future and I have
accomplished just that. This is the reason this project and this experience
here a Berklee Valencia means so much to me, because It’s not just about
me, but its about my family and my future and being able to get the tools
I need to succeed to give back, while at the same time doing what I love.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
20
I’ve had a year I will never forget and I’m excited for future endeavors.
Thank you Berklee Valencia!
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
Sources:
§ h t t p : / / l y r i c s t r a n s l a t e . c o m / e n / b e s a m e - m u c h o - k i s s - m e
§ h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i / M o r n a _ ( m u s i c )
http://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/morna-blues-with-salty-taste
§ h t t p : / / b l u e s . g r / p r o f i l e s / b l o g s / m o r n a - b l u e s - w i t h - s a l t y - t a s t e
§ h t t p : / / l y r i c s t r a n s l a t e . c o m / e n / a n g o l a - a n g o l a . h t m l
§ W w w . w i x . c o m
§ A p p l e D i c t i o n a r y
§ h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i / M u s i c a l _ s t r o p h e
§ h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = E R Y Y 8 G J - i 0 I
§ h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m /
21
The Mediterranean
Experience
Avda. Profesor Lopez Pinero, 1 Palau de les Arts – Anexo Sur 46013 Valencia, Spain
Phone: 443-447-2985
E-Mail: caallen@berklee.edu Web: cassandraallenofficialpage.con
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
INDEX
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
-‐
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Introduction
Overviw
Exploration
Cape Verde
Morna
1.Morna- Instrumentation
1.2 Morna – Structure- Harmonic & Melodic
1.3 Morna – And the Blues
2. Morna – Musicians in the states
2.1 Morna- Platform Star
My Works
Why? Sodade
Why? Angola
Why? Besame Mucho
Professional Package
Conclusion
2
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
3
Introduction
Hello, I’m Cassandra Allen, a vocalist from small town Jackson, MI.
I come from an extremely musical family. I was blessed to be born
into a family of very talented people, everyone in my family has the
ability sing or play music. So music has been apart of me, since I was a
child. I started singing at the age of 10. I began with the children’s choir
at Michigan State University.
This choir exposed me to the study of classical music, mostly choral
music. Around the age of 18 I began individual study of the voice. One of
my choir director said to me “you should really consider studying
classical voice as a career goal”. So at 18 that’s when I decided to
audition for schools to become an opera/recital performer.
My main focus was classical music. I eventually ended up getting a
scholarship to study at Howard University under the tutelage of Ms.
Charlotte Holloman, Here, I honed my skills and went on to perform at
many different venues and win competitions. After graduating Howard
University. I realized very quickly, to live and eat off of being a
musician is a hard thing to do when you are starting out a career. So I
eventually ended up getting a job at an advertising firm. I hated it! And
had to find a way out. I knew my way out was to go back to my first love.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
4
Music.
So, I search for a program that would expand my knowledge as a musician
and offer me the opportunity not to just be a Classical Vocalist but a
vocalist with verity of styles and genre’s. So that’s when I came across
the Berklee school of music Valencia website. I felt I had struck gold.
The contemporary performance program provided me all the elements I
was looking from in a school.
Sense being at Berklee Valencia, This campus, it’s students and the
faculty , have inspired me to dig deeper into my musical ability. The
faculty has pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing and
expanded my knowledge of music and the limitless possibilities there are
when it comes to cultivating your musical goals.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
Overview
Over the Christmas break I had the opportunity to explore my
background and my finding were interesting. Turn’s out I am a melting
pot of different cultures ranging from Spanish to west Indian, west
African to polish.
My findings have inspired me to focus my sights on music from for the
mediterranean. In this project, I will be focusing on music for cape
Verde, and specifically music performed by Cesaria Evora.
I will be recording a collection of songs in memory of the late
great Cesaria Evora. I will be discussing the history of Cape Verde
musical styles and what cape Verdeans are known for and the link
between the styles and Cesaria Evora’s career, I will also briefly discuss
the African and Spanish rhythm and why they are so closely related.
At the end of my informational portion of the presentation. I will
discuss each piece I recorded, Then play it for the viewing committee. I
hope you enjoy. (Please note: The overview portion of this paper is a
brief outline of what is presented in the live lecture presentation.)
5
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
Exploration
Sense my arrival at Berklee Valencia and being exposed to many
different Genre’s it has inspired me dig deep into the mediterranean
culture, my heritage, and explore the possibility of singing different
styles of music. Before, I go into the different styles of music, Let me
tell you a little about the Island Country Cape Verde
Cape Verde
Cape Verde or (the Republic of Cape Verde), is an island
country
spanning an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the
central Atlantic Ocean. Located 570 kilometres (350 miles) off the coast
of Western Africa. The islands cover a combined area of slightly over
4,000 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi). Three (Sal, Boa Vista and Maio )
are fairly flat, sandy and dry; the others generally rockier with more
vegetation. So, Now that we know a bit about Cape Verde lets go into it
folk music.
6
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
7
Morna
Morna is noted as one of the most popular genre of Cape Verdean
music and is the national music of Cape Verde. Morna goes back about a
150 years,
and is complex hybrid of African and European cultures
Some
musicologists trace the genre back to a genre called
the lundum (or lundu), from Africa, most likely Angola. It is a dancesong from the Bantu tribe, which spread through various regions of
Africa, most likely Angola. It is a dance-song from the
Bantu tribe, which spread through various regions of Africa. Slaves
brought it to Brazil, where it was very popular among the elite and even
became Brazil’s first national dance. Lundum is related to the Spanish
fandango and new world dances like the bolero.
All of these include
scarfs, castanets, and holding arms over the head. There was also a genre
in Cape Verde called the choros, which are plaintive songs, like working
songs.
Morna is therefore considered a cross between the lundum and the
choros. Initially, morna did not have any romantic themes; they
developed along with the genre.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
8
1.Morna – Instrumentation
The
main
instrument
associated
with
the morna is
the guitar,
popularly called “violão” in Cape Verde. In its most simple form, a guitar
is enough to provide the accompaniment for another solo instrument that
can be another guitar, a violin (popularly called “rabeca” in Cape Verde),
the singer’s voice or any other melodic instrument.
A medium-sized band may have, besides a guitar, a cavaquinho (that plays
the chords rhythmically), a ten or twelve string guitar (popularly called
“viola” in Cape Verde, that provides an harmonic support), a solo
instrument besides the singer’s voice and some percussion instrument. A
bigger band may have another guitar, an acoustic bass guitar, more than
one solo instrument (violin, clarinet, trumpet, etc.) and several
percussion instruments (shaker, güiro, bongos, etc.).
The
strumming
of
the morna articulates
a bass (played
with
the
thumb,marking the accentuation of the rhythm) with chords (played with
the other fingers, either in an arpeggio, rhythmically, or in a combination
of both). morna can also be performed on a piano, with the left hand
providing the bass and the accompaniment and the right hand providing
the accompaniment and the melody.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
9
1.2 Morna – Structure
Harmonic Structure
Morna obeys the cycle of fifths. The harmonic progression starts in
a chord (the tonic) of a certain tonality, the second chord is the lower
fifth (the subdominant), the third chord is the same as the first and the
fourth chord is the upper fifth (the dominant seventh).
These chords — tonic, dominant seventh, subdominant — have in Cape
Verde the popular names of “primeira”,Aminors first Am “segunda” A
minor’s second E 7th,
and “terceira” A minor’s third
dm, respectively of
the tonality in question.The structure has been developed with passing
chords as of more recent composers have changed the basic structure.
Melodic Structure
The melodic line of the morna varies a lot through the song, with
ascending and descending note sequences, and within a bar the notes
generally do not have the same length. One frequent characteristic of
the morna is the syncopation.
There are several models of the form Morna uses for example: ABABAB,
ABCBABCB, ACBACB, AABCCB. The ABABAB form is what you will
here an example of later in the presentation.
Rhythmic Structure
In most cases Morna is characterized by a lento tempo with a two
beat or four beat bar, Using a strophic form, more known as a repeating
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
10
chorus or verse form. Which means the lyrics would be sung using the
same repeated music. Below is a rhythmic example of Morna.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
11
1.3 Morna – And The Blues
Morna is often compared to the blues; there is little research on the
relationship between the genres, though there are interesting
similarities and significant cultural connections between Cape Verde
and the United States.
The music is characterized by a slow tempo. The main instrument is a
guitar. From my own interpretation of the two styles I’ve found Blues
and Morna feed off one another. For example, the word (Morna)
think comes from
it comes from the English word “to mourn”.
some
Others
say it comes from the French word “morne”, which is the name of the
hills in French Antilles where chanson des mornes are sung.
Most
writers think, however, that the name is from the Portuguese “morno”
meaning “warm”, a reference to the way morna is sung. Like the blues
Morna developed from an oppressed people expressing they sadness and
longing for home and/or homeland. The blues a melancholic music of
brown America folk origin, typically in a twelve-bar sequence. It
developed in rural southern US toward the end of the 18th century,
finding a wider audience in the 1940’s as brown Americans migrated to
the cities.
The urban blues gave rise to rhythm and blues and rock and roll.
Blues carries with it the feeling of melancholy, sadness, or depression
which is directly related to the same feeling of Morna.
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
12
2. Morna – Musicians in the states
Paul Gonsalves, a Cape Verdean from New Bedford, was one of
Duke Ellington’s greatest tenor saxophonist players, He is most well
known for being the instigator of one of the great stories of jazz
history, when he blew a `legendary 27-chorus solo at the 1956 Newport
Jazz Festival that threw the audience into fits
Bebop pianist Horace Silver was actually Horace Silva, son of a
Cape Verdean father and an Irish-African mother. He didn’t foray too
deeply into Cape Verdean musical territory, but did make some island
references on two of his most famous compositions: “The Cape Verdean
Blues” and the bossa “Song for my Father.”
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Some 1st and 2nd generation Cape Verdeans were just as comfortable
with jazz, blues and soul as they were with morna and coladeira, and
some musicians could play it all …….so with all that information, I
would like to take a min an talk about one of the greatest morna
performers to date Cesaria Evora
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2.1 Morna – Platform Star
Cape Verde and its national music morna has a tremendous history
and with it’s influence it has produced an international superstar
named Cesária Évora.
She is the best internationally known morna singer from São Vicente
Island who sings primarily in Cape Verdean Creole. Cesaria, better known
as the “barefoot diva” has sung mornas in concert all over the world. The
morna "Sodade" was her first international hit, the first hit for a nonFrench song in France, and marked the beginning of worldwide fame for
morna. The Portuguese term saudade is complex and infamously difficult
to translate, related to homesickness, nostalgia, longing, sadness, and
regret. The expression of "sodade" is integral to Cape Verdean music.
The first major morna composers and performers were Manel d'Novas
and B. Leza (Cesária Évora's uncle). In later years, Os Tubarões brought
Cape Verdean music beyond Cape Verde's borders, setting the stage for
the rise of performers like Évora, Tito Paris, Ildo Lobo, Lura, Teófilo
Chantre, and Maria De Barros. Morna and other styles of Cape Verdean
music are also played in Cape Verdean immigrant communities abroad,
especially in New England in the US, Portugal, the Netherlands, France,
West
Africa,
and
parts
of
Latin
America.
(For Video interview with
Cesaria Evora Please See Presentation Slide 12 that goes along with this
paper.)
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My Works
Here are the Top 3 recordings I will discuss. The Complete layout of all
the songs are on my website Cassandraallenofficialpage.com
Sodade
Angola
Besame Mucho
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Why? Sodade
I decided to recording Sodade because, when I first heard the piece
it gave me chills and I knew the moment I heard the piece, I wanted to
explore the origins of this music. This piece is the reason why I
decided to explore the Mediterranean.
What is different about my arrangement?
I used mid-eastern percussion (Baca, Cajon, Shakers) Instruments as
well as traditional cape Verde instruments along with multiple vocal
overdubs using major 2nd and 3rd , minor 2nd and 3rd,
and Perfect 4th
harmonies. I decided to make my recording with more of an intimate
feel, yet continuing with the integrity of a traditional Morna style.
Using 3 elements Voice, Guitar and Percussion.
Why? Angola
I decided to record and Angola because allot of the music from Cape
Verde is directly linked to Angola. The music from Angola and its
people have influenced the world, and I thought it was important to
include a piece dedicated to the country.
What is different about my arrangement?
I decided to use Congas, multiple voice overdubs using major 2nd and
3rdminor 2nd and 3rd, and Perfect 4th harmonies. When listening to this
arrangement
one
has
to
be
encompassed
by
the
percussion.
The
percussion is the meat of this piece. (why?) Because like previously
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discussed earlier in this paper, Morna is a music that is derived from a
music called Lundum or (Lundu) which comes from Africa and Africans
are historically known for there incredible rhythmic talent and ability.
So, that’s what you will feel and hear in this piece. The percussion ,
the rhythm rules in this particular arrangement.
Why? Besame Mucho
Besame Mucho is a piece I’ve always loved and is one of the first
pieces, I had the chance to record and engineer. I was able to receive a
new perspective on the recording process and became better equip with
my ability to engineer.
What is different about my arrangement?
This piece stays fairly close to the classic way of performing this piece
(Voice and Guitar) I added different harmonies by overdubbing my
voice and adding variations of malizma’s throughout the piece. I
decided I wanted this piece to keep close to the classic style because it
embodied the classic morna sound using only guitar and voice. Being
that this piece is originally a bolero it completely relates to Morna
because of the history of morna. The Bolero is taken from the African
music Lundum or Lundu which is now consequently called Morna. In
turn leaving the Bolero and extended form of Morna now called the
Bolero.
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Professional Package
Below is a screen shot of my website, there you will find listening
samples of my work, you will also be able to find out more about me by
clicking on to my Biography page, in addition you will be able to view a
gallery of photos and take a look at my video’s and recent news.
Preparing this package was extremely important to me because, in a
highly competitive field you have to put your best foot forward and
preparing a package was the first step to success. Please feel free to visit
my site CassandraAllenofficialpage.com.
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Conclusion
In Conclusion, I have had a great musical journey while living here
in Spain, I’ve gotten the opportunity to learn how to record music/
engineer sessions, compose music, and create music video’s.
I’ve gained the knowledge of all aspects of the recording process,
applying the technic and technological ability to each session and
mastering all multi-layered aspects of the recording process, including
post production and pre-production operations. Throughout the course of
the year I’ve been exposed to music industry operations and have
procured information that will aid me in the future. This year will be a
year I will never forget, I am thankful for being able to work with such
talented musicians, and being able to explore many different genres of
music. This journey specifically related to this CE is the work of cesaria
Evora. I believe her work and her music, is a reflection of her travel,
family and longing for home but, knowing that she needed to take the
journey for hopes of a better and prosperous life.
Which consequently is a direct reflection of my travel and
exploration here in Spain, I came to grow and learn in hopes to better my
knowledge and provide a prosperous life for my future and I have
accomplished just that. This is the reason this project and this experience
here a Berklee Valencia means so much to me, because It’s not just about
me, but its about my family and my future and being able to get the tools
I need to succeed to give back, while at the same time doing what I love.
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I’ve had a year I will never forget and I’m excited for future endeavors.
Thank you Berklee Valencia!
Cassandra Allen Culminating Experience
Sources:
§ h t t p : / / l y r i c s t r a n s l a t e . c o m / e n / b e s a m e - m u c h o - k i s s - m e
§ h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i / M o r n a _ ( m u s i c )
http://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/morna-blues-with-salty-taste
§ h t t p : / / b l u e s . g r / p r o f i l e s / b l o g s / m o r n a - b l u e s - w i t h - s a l t y - t a s t e
§ h t t p : / / l y r i c s t r a n s l a t e . c o m / e n / a n g o l a - a n g o l a . h t m l
§ W w w . w i x . c o m
§ A p p l e D i c t i o n a r y
§ h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i / M u s i c a l _ s t r o p h e
§ h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = E R Y Y 8 G J - i 0 I
§ h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m /
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Media of
