Saudade, colour of love
Saudade, Colour of Love is an exclusive project by Maria Mendes — the first and only Portuguese singer, composer, and arranger to date to receive four GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® nominations. Winner of the Edison Jazz Award (Netherlands), Maria Mendes presents a repertoire that is entirely Portuguese at its core, celebrating the soul of Portugal while reinventing Fado through a subtle dialogue between jazz improvisation and symphonic textures.
Originally recorded on the singer’s fourth album in collaboration with the GRAMMY®-winning Metropole Orkest and co-arranged with John Beasley, the project has since been performed with several symphonic ensembles, including the Bielefeld Philharmonic (Germany), the Metropole Orkest (Netherlands), and the Orquestra das Beiras (Portugal). New performances are already confirmed with the Jazz Sinfônica Brasil.
Rather than presenting Fado in its most familiar form, Saudade, Colour of Love elevates it into a refined concert experience, where arrangements, improvisation, and symphonic depth come together to create a singular and timeless work.
The project has received four GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® nominations (the most recent in 2024) — all in the category of “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals” — a recognition that stands as a mark of excellence any orchestral ensemble would be proud to associate with.
This repertoire resonates strongly with today’s audiences: rooted in Portuguese tradition yet firmly forward-looking. It embodies the depth of Fado while speaking the universal language of jazz and contemporary music.)
Maria Mendes (vocalist & arranger)
Trio: Piano · Upright Bass · Drums
Conductor: José Eduardo Gomes
Complete program on request
