Kavita Shah: embracing the saudade of Cape Verde

Spotlight On

Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning vocalist, composer, ethnomusicology researcher, and educator Kavita Shah.

Kavita’s work sits at the intersection of modern jazz, new creative music, and world traditions. The impetus for her visit today was her 2023 tribute to African legend Cesária Évora, Cape Verdean Blues (2023). We discuss that music as well as her personal experiences as a lifelong New Yorker of Indian origin, her work as an advocate for gender and racial equity in the arts, and more.

(all musical excerpts heard in the interview are taken from Kavita Shah’s album Cape Verdean Blues)

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Dig Deeper

• Visit Kavita Shah at kavitashahmusic.com
• Purchase Cape Verdean Blues on Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your favorite streaming platform
• Follow Kavita Shah on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter (X), and YouTube
• Check out Folkalist Records at folkalistrecords.com
• Morna: on the trail of traditional music in the Cape Verde islands
• Ori-Gen Live Stream Rebroadcast | A Concert with Kavita Shah
• Permission to Daydream: A Conversation with Gwen Laster and Kavita Shah
• Be sure to peruse this episode’s extensive show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com

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