pioneer

Travadinha

Born Antoine Vieira

1940–1987

About Travadinha

Travadinha was the great violinist of Cape Verde, a self-taught master from Mindelo whose bow gave morna its most expressive instrumental voice. Never formally recorded for much of his life, he played the cafés and gatherings of São Vicente until French producers captured his art in the 1980s. His plaintive, singing violin remains the benchmark for the instrument in Cape Verdean music.