Vanessa da Mata
Encyclopedia
Vanessa da Mata - with full name Vanessa Sigiane da Mata Ferreira - (born 10 February 1976 in Alto Garças
, Mato Grosso
) is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Brazil
ian MPB
singer, songwriter. She has released four studio albums and the songs "Ai, Ai, Ai", "Boa Sorte/Good Luck" and "Amado" became number-one hits in Brazil.
located 248 miles from state capital Cuiabá
. Her article in the Portuguese version of Wikipedia
stated that she has Xavante
ancestry through her maternal grandmother. Vanessa has denied these claims, but said that her grandmother has indeed Native Brazilian ancestry, although she "can't identify from which tribe".
An autodidact in music, Vanessa listened to very different genres in her childhood; from Luiz Gonzaga
to Tom Jobim, and from Milton Nascimento
to Orlando Silva. She would also listen to regional music like carimbó
through the records brought by an uncle who travelled to the Amazon
. She was also familiar with samba
, sertaneja music
, and even brega
Italian music, which were available to her through a local AM radio station.
At age 14, Vanessa moved alone to Uberlândia
, Minas Gerais
, 745 miles away from Alto Garças, in order to prepare for her vestibular
exam, through which she intended to join a Medical school. There, she discovered that her real passion was singing, and by the following year was already performing in local clubs.
In 1992, at age 16, Vanessa moved to São Paulo
, where she started performing with Shalla-Ball, a female reggae
band. Three years later, she toured Brazil with the Jamaica
n band Black Uhuru
, for which she served as a backing vocal. She then became a part of regional rhythms band Mafuá. She also had careers as a professional model and basketball player around that time.
In 1997, Vanessa met singer-songwriter Chico César
and wrote the song "A Força que Nunca Seca" with him. It was later recorded by Maria Bethânia
in her 1999 album of the same title. The song was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award and later re-recorded by César in his album Mama Mundi. Vanessa then became a renowned songwriter. She wrote "O Canto de Dona Sinhá" for Bethânia and Caetano Veloso
and "Viagem" for Daniela Mercury
. She also wrote the song "Me Sento na Rua" with Ana Carolina
. She started performing as backing vocal in concerts of artists such as Milton Nascimento
, Bethânia and the late Baden Powell
.
In 2002, Vanessa released her eponymous first album through Sony Music. The album's biggest hit was the song "Não Me Deixe Só", which reached a peak position of 25th in the Brazilian chart and 42nd in the Portuguese. Two other songs from the album, "Nossa Canção" and "Onde Ir", both included in the soundtrack albums of two Rede Globo
telenovelas, became minor hits, reaching peak positions of 40th and 69th in the Brazilian chart, respectively.
In 2004, Vanessa released her second album, titled Essa Boneca Tem Manual. The album produced the singer's first number-one hit in Brazil, the song "Ai, Ai, Ai", which also peaked at 13th in the Sweden chart. Other hits include a remix version of the same song, which reached the 3rd position in the Brazilian chart and "Ainda Bem", which reached the 21st position.
On May 28, 2007, Vanessa released her third album, titled Sim
. The two singles released from the album, "Boa Sorte/Good Luck", a duet with American singer Ben Harper
, and "Amado", both became number-one hits in Brazil. "Boa Sorte/Good Luck" also became a number-one single in Portugal. She would receive her first Latin Grammy Award, in the category of Best Contemporary Brazilian Pop Album, for the album.
In May, 2009, Vanessa released her first live album and DVD to commemorate her six years of career. The CD and DVD Multishow ao Vivo - Vanessa da Mata was recorded in partnership with cable television channel Multishow
. The first single from the album is "Vermelho", a live version of a track from the previous album.
In October 2010 Vanessa da Mata published the CD Bicicletas, Bolos e Outras Alegrias, from which the title O Tal Casal was pre-released as a single.
In 2011, she collaborated with Seu Jorge
and Alamaz on the song "Boa Reza" for the Red Hot Organization's
most recent charitable album Red Hot+Rio 2. The album is a follow-up to the 1996 "Red Hot + Rio
." Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues.
Latin Grammy Award
Alto Garças
Alto Garças is a township in the south-east of the Brazilian State of Mato Grosso with a population of about 9500 on an area of 3672 km. The distance to the state capital Cuiabá is approximately 350 km². In 1933 Alto Garças became a district of the municipality of Santa Rita do Araguaia and...
, Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso is one of the states of Brazil, the third largest in area, located in the western part of the country.Neighboring states are Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará, Tocantins, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. It also borders Bolivia to the southwest...
) is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian MPB
Música Popular Brasileira
Música Popular Brasileira or MPB designates a trend in post-Bossa Nova urban popular music. It is not a discrete genre but rather a constellation that combines original songwriting and updated versions of traditional Brazilian urban music styles like samba and samba-canção with contemporary...
singer, songwriter. She has released four studio albums and the songs "Ai, Ai, Ai", "Boa Sorte/Good Luck" and "Amado" became number-one hits in Brazil.
Biography
Vanessa Sigiane da Mata Ferreira was born on February 10, 1976 in Alto Garças, a small town in Mato GrossoMato Grosso
Mato Grosso is one of the states of Brazil, the third largest in area, located in the western part of the country.Neighboring states are Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará, Tocantins, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. It also borders Bolivia to the southwest...
located 248 miles from state capital Cuiabá
Cuiabá
Under the Koppen climate classification, Cuiaba features a tropical wet and dry climate. Cuiabá is famous for its searing heat, although temperatures in winter can arrive sporadically at 10 degrees, indeed atypical, caused by cold fronts coming from the south, and that may only last one or two...
. Her article in the Portuguese version of Wikipedia
Portuguese Wikipedia
The Portuguese Wikipedia is a Portuguese language edition of Wikipedia , the free encyclopedia. It was the fifth edition of Wikipedia, started in June 2001. It is currently the tenth largest Wikipedia by article count, containing articles.From late 2004, the edition grew rapidly...
stated that she has Xavante
Xavante
The Xavante are an indigenous people, comprising some 9,600 individuals within the territory of eastern Mato Grosso state in Brazil...
ancestry through her maternal grandmother. Vanessa has denied these claims, but said that her grandmother has indeed Native Brazilian ancestry, although she "can't identify from which tribe".
An autodidact in music, Vanessa listened to very different genres in her childhood; from Luiz Gonzaga
Luiz Gonzaga
Luiz Gonzaga do Nascimento was a very prominent Brazilian folk singer, songwriter, musician and poet. Born in the countryside of Pernambuco , he is considered to be responsible for the promotion of northeastern music throughout the rest of the country...
to Tom Jobim, and from Milton Nascimento
Milton Nascimento
-Biography:Nascimento's mother was the maid Maria Nascimento. As a baby, Milton Nascimento was adopted by his mother's former employers: the couple Josino Brito Campos, a banker employee, mathematics teacher and electronic technician; and Lília Silva Campos, a music teacher and choir singer...
to Orlando Silva. She would also listen to regional music like carimbó
Carimbo
-Carimbó drum:Carimbó is a tall African drum. It is made of a hollow trunk of wood, thinned by fire, and covered with a deerskin. It is about 1m tall and 30cm wide.-Carimbó dance:Carimbó is also a Brazilian dance...
through the records brought by an uncle who travelled to the Amazon
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
. She was also familiar with samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
, sertaneja music
Música sertaneja
Música sertaneja or Sertanejo is a music style that had its origins in the countryside of Brazil in the 1920s .Sertanejo is currently the most popular music style in Brazil, arguably more popular than samba in most Brazilian states , even though samba is still quite popular in Rio de Janeiro...
, and even brega
Brega (music)
Brega is a genre of Brazilian popular music. The name, originally pejorative and discriminatory in nature , has since somewhat lost this meaning. Historically, the greatest singers of the genre are from northeastern and northern Brazil; two of its biggest icons historically were Reginaldo Rossi...
Italian music, which were available to her through a local AM radio station.
At age 14, Vanessa moved alone to Uberlândia
Uberlândia
Uberlândia is the main town in the Triangle region, west of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. With a population of 604,013 inhabitants, according to 2010 estimates, the city is the second largest in the state second only to Belo Horizonte...
, Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
, 745 miles away from Alto Garças, in order to prepare for her vestibular
Vestibular
The Vestibular is a competitive examination and is the primary and widespread system used by Brazilian universities to select their students. The Vestibular usually takes place from November to January, right before the start of school year in February or March, although certain universities hold...
exam, through which she intended to join a Medical school. There, she discovered that her real passion was singing, and by the following year was already performing in local clubs.
In 1992, at age 16, Vanessa moved to São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, where she started performing with Shalla-Ball, a female reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
band. Three years later, she toured Brazil with the Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n band Black Uhuru
Black Uhuru
Black Uhuru are a Jamaican reggae group formed in 1972, initially as Uhuru . The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years, with Duckie Simpson always maintaining group control and ownership...
, for which she served as a backing vocal. She then became a part of regional rhythms band Mafuá. She also had careers as a professional model and basketball player around that time.
In 1997, Vanessa met singer-songwriter Chico César
Chico César
Chico César is a Brazilian singer-composer-songwriter.-Albums:* Aos Vivos * Cuzcuz-Clã* Beleza Mano * Mama Mundi * Respeitem meus cabelos, brancos...
and wrote the song "A Força que Nunca Seca" with him. It was later recorded by Maria Bethânia
Maria Bethânia
Maria Bethânia Vianna Telles Veloso , better known as Maria Bethânia , is a singer and sister of Caetano Veloso. She started her career in Rio de Janeiro in 1964 with the show "Opinião"...
in her 1999 album of the same title. The song was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award and later re-recorded by César in his album Mama Mundi. Vanessa then became a renowned songwriter. She wrote "O Canto de Dona Sinhá" for Bethânia and Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
Caetano Emanuel Viana Teles Veloso , better known as Caetano Veloso, is a Brazilian composer, singer, guitarist, writer, and political activist. Veloso first became known for his participation in the Brazilian musical movement Tropicalismo which encompassed theatre, poetry and music in the 1960s,...
and "Viagem" for Daniela Mercury
Daniela Mercury
Daniela Mercury , is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Brazilian axé, samba-reggae and MPB singer, songwriter and record producer. Since her breakthrough, Mercury has become one of the best known Brazilian female singers, selling over 20 million albums worldwide...
. She also wrote the song "Me Sento na Rua" with Ana Carolina
Ana Carolina
Ana Carolina Sousa is a Brazilian singer, composer, and musician.-Career:Carolina has a contralto vocal range. Her musical influence comes from the crib, her grandmother used to sing on the radio, and her great aunt and uncle played percussion, piano, cello, and violin...
. She started performing as backing vocal in concerts of artists such as Milton Nascimento
Milton Nascimento
-Biography:Nascimento's mother was the maid Maria Nascimento. As a baby, Milton Nascimento was adopted by his mother's former employers: the couple Josino Brito Campos, a banker employee, mathematics teacher and electronic technician; and Lília Silva Campos, a music teacher and choir singer...
, Bethânia and the late Baden Powell
Baden Powell de Aquino
Baden Powell de Aquino usually known simply as Baden Powell, was one of the greatest Brazilian guitarists. He explored the instrument to its utmost limits, playing it in a distinctive, unique manner, incorporating virtuoso classical techniques together with popular harmony and swing...
.
In 2002, Vanessa released her eponymous first album through Sony Music. The album's biggest hit was the song "Não Me Deixe Só", which reached a peak position of 25th in the Brazilian chart and 42nd in the Portuguese. Two other songs from the album, "Nossa Canção" and "Onde Ir", both included in the soundtrack albums of two Rede Globo
Rede Globo
Rede Globo , or simply Globo, is a Brazilian television network, launched by media mogul Roberto Marinho on April 26, 1965. It is owned by media conglomerate Organizações Globo, being by far the largest of its holdings...
telenovelas, became minor hits, reaching peak positions of 40th and 69th in the Brazilian chart, respectively.
In 2004, Vanessa released her second album, titled Essa Boneca Tem Manual. The album produced the singer's first number-one hit in Brazil, the song "Ai, Ai, Ai", which also peaked at 13th in the Sweden chart. Other hits include a remix version of the same song, which reached the 3rd position in the Brazilian chart and "Ainda Bem", which reached the 21st position.
On May 28, 2007, Vanessa released her third album, titled Sim
Sim (album)
Sim is the third album by Brazilian singer-songwriter Vanessa da Mata, released on May 28, 2007 by Sony BMG. It was partially recorded at Kingston, Jamaica with musicians Sly & Robbie. It spawned the hit single "Boa Sorte/Good Luck", a duet with Ben Harper, which peaked at number-one in both Brazil...
. The two singles released from the album, "Boa Sorte/Good Luck", a duet with American singer Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
, and "Amado", both became number-one hits in Brazil. "Boa Sorte/Good Luck" also became a number-one single in Portugal. She would receive her first Latin Grammy Award, in the category of Best Contemporary Brazilian Pop Album, for the album.
In May, 2009, Vanessa released her first live album and DVD to commemorate her six years of career. The CD and DVD Multishow ao Vivo - Vanessa da Mata was recorded in partnership with cable television channel Multishow
Multishow
Multishow is an entertainment channel owned by Globosat, Organizações Globo's cable and satellite television channel operator. It was launched in 1991, as one of the company's first four channels ....
. The first single from the album is "Vermelho", a live version of a track from the previous album.
In October 2010 Vanessa da Mata published the CD Bicicletas, Bolos e Outras Alegrias, from which the title O Tal Casal was pre-released as a single.
In 2011, she collaborated with Seu Jorge
Seu Jorge
Seu Jorge is a Brazilian musician, singer/songwriter and actor. Born Jorge Mário da Silva, he was raised in a favela in the city of Belford Roxo in the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro state. He is considered by his fans a renewer of Brazilian pop samba...
and Alamaz on the song "Boa Reza" for the Red Hot Organization's
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
most recent charitable album Red Hot+Rio 2. The album is a follow-up to the 1996 "Red Hot + Rio
Red Hot + Rio
Red Hot + Rio is a compilation album produced by Paul Heck as part of the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series intended to promote AIDS awareness. This installment is a contemporary tribute to the Bossa nova sound, especially the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim...
." Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues.
Albums
- 2002: Vanessa da Mata
- 2004: Essa Boneca Tem Manual
- 2007: SimSim (album)Sim is the third album by Brazilian singer-songwriter Vanessa da Mata, released on May 28, 2007 by Sony BMG. It was partially recorded at Kingston, Jamaica with musicians Sly & Robbie. It spawned the hit single "Boa Sorte/Good Luck", a duet with Ben Harper, which peaked at number-one in both Brazil...
- 2009: Multishow ao Vivo: Vanessa da Mata (live)
- 2010: Bicicletas, Bolos e Outras Alegrias
Telenovelas
- Cama de Gato (Rede GloboRede GloboRede Globo , or simply Globo, is a Brazilian television network, launched by media mogul Roberto Marinho on April 26, 1965. It is owned by media conglomerate Organizações Globo, being by far the largest of its holdings...
, 2010) - "Um Dia, Um Adeus" - A Favorita (Rede Globo, 2008) – "Amado"
- Pé na jaca (Rede Globo, 2006) – "Ainda Bem"
- Belíssima (Rede Globo, 2005) – "Ai, Ai, Ai"
- A Lua me Disse (Rede Globo, 2005) – "Eu Sou Neguinha"
- Celebridade (Rede Globo, 2003) – "Nossa canção"
- Esperança (Rede Globo, 2002) – "Onde ir"
Songs recorded by other artists
- "A Força que Nunca Seca" - Maria BethâniaMaria BethâniaMaria Bethânia Vianna Telles Veloso , better known as Maria Bethânia , is a singer and sister of Caetano Veloso. She started her career in Rio de Janeiro in 1964 with the show "Opinião"...
(A Força que Nunca Seca, 1999) - "Viagem" - Daniela MercuryDaniela MercuryDaniela Mercury , is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Brazilian axé, samba-reggae and MPB singer, songwriter and record producer. Since her breakthrough, Mercury has become one of the best known Brazilian female singers, selling over 20 million albums worldwide...
(Sol da LiberdadeSol da LiberdadeSol da Liberdade is the fifth studio album by Daniela Mercury, released in April 2000 in Brazil through BMG. Two of its singles, "Ilê Pérola Negra" and "Como Vai Você", became number-one hits in Brazil. The other single released from the album, "Santa Helena", peaked at number twenty six...
, 2000) - "Me Sento na Rua" - Ana CarolinaAna CarolinaAna Carolina Sousa is a Brazilian singer, composer, and musician.-Career:Carolina has a contralto vocal range. Her musical influence comes from the crib, her grandmother used to sing on the radio, and her great aunt and uncle played percussion, piano, cello, and violin...
(Ana Rita Joana Iracema e Carolina, 2001) - "O Canto de Dona Sinhá" - Maria BethâniaMaria BethâniaMaria Bethânia Vianna Telles Veloso , better known as Maria Bethânia , is a singer and sister of Caetano Veloso. She started her career in Rio de Janeiro in 1964 with the show "Opinião"...
(Maricotinha, 2001 e Maricotinha Ao Vivo, 2002)
Awards
Multishow Brazilian Music Award- 2009: Best Song - "Amado"
- 2008: Best Song - "Boa Sorte/Good Luck" (shared with Ben HarperBen HarperBenjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
) - 2006: Best Song - "Ai, Ai, Ai"
Latin Grammy Award
- 2008: Best Contemporary Brazilian Pop Album - Sim