PAYING TRIBUTE

MANUEL DA CONCEIÇÃO DIAS FERNANDES - NEY FERNANDES
Praia, Santiago, 1954
Composer and instrumentalist

Without neglecting other genres, Ney Fernandes found in morna his best means of expression as a composer. His main performer was the group Bulimundo, which on their 1st LP “Djam brancu dja”, 1980, recorded two compositions of his own: Brageru and Partida. The latter is probably his best-known composition, recorded years later by Cesária Évora (1997).

“Enterro Camponês” in the voice of Zezé di Nha Reinalda (Djentis d'asagua, 1981) and Maria de Sousa, as a member of the group Simentera (Barro e Voz, 1997), is another highlight of his production.

Some of his songs are signed with the pseudonym “Batuque Jazz”, as are all those found on the album Hora Já Tchegá by Frank Mimita .

Soldier trained in Yugoslavia, he was one of the founders, in the 1970s, of the band Voz di Farp, acting as bass and vocalist, later called Djarama. Later he participated as Cimbodiana. He plays practically all string instruments, in particular the guitar.

COMPOSITIONS:
Brageru, Ca bo grita, Cambalacho, Capina Padja, Compradri Ambrosi, Enterro Camponès, Grito camponês, Grito de Liberdade, Hora já tchaga, Ino Pa Santiagu, Mocinhos, Nha Bersu, Nha Partida, Nho Foro, Noémia, Partida, Praia Maria, Romance d'amor, Tabermar