Candida Rose has been singing since she was a child. The New Bedford resident is now a well-known jazz singer in her own right, performing at local and regional venues as well as national and international stages, including in Cape Verde.
Candida Rose Baptista stopped by Town Square this Sunday to talk about her life and the book she wrote about how Cape Verdean culture has influenced her career.
“I was born into the Cape Verdean community and culture,” Baptista said. “There was always some kind of music playing in the house, and there were dances and events for young people at the veterinary hall and the band club, so it was always there.”
Baptista graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2005. For my master’s degree in 2016, I produced stories about Cape Verdean music and national and international cultural icons, including Joli Gonçalves, Toy Grace, and Freddy Silva. That research formed the basis of her book Kabu Merikanus – The Sum of US.
“I stand on the shoulders of so many great Cape Verdean and Cape Verdean-American musicians and vocalists, some of whom are right here in New Bedford,” she said.
The book is available for purchase on Amazon as well as on the Candida Rose website. She will also be giving a book reading at AHA! on October 10th. The evening will be held from 5pm to 7pm at Celia’s Boutique, 111 William Street, New Bedford.
Baptista said she still has a lot of fun playing and singing.
“I have been working full time since 2005 as part of a business called Golden Rose Music. During the day I sing in nursing homes and assisted living centres,” she said. “I also have a band called Cub Jazz and I play professionally. This is my job and my life.”
If your organization would like to appear on Townsquare Sunday, please email the organizer at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.
WBSM Top Stories 9/23 – 9/29
These are the top stories in New Bedford and across the South Coast for the week of September 23, 2024. Click on the photo or title to read the full story.
Gallery credit: Tim Weisberg
