Press Kit

“A jazz singer of the highest order. Her poise is as impressive as her power” DOWNBEAT (USA)

“Nothing here disappoints! Graceful vocalist” JAZZTIMES (USA)

“What Mendes express with her voice is art and a real treat for the heart and ears. Impressive!” DRAAI OM JE OREN (Netherlands)

“Her vocalically shows it all, really perfect” JAZZZINE.NL (Netherlands)

“Maria Mendes singing charms anyone” JAZZ À FIT (France)

“Gently beautiful. Excellent album” SERAI MUSIC MAGAZINE (Japan)

5***** O GLOBO (Brazil)

“I see a promising shining future for this young talented singer”
QUINCY JONES (USA)

“As Metropole Orkest we are always looking to combine music styles. This project intelligently combines Fado and Jazz in a well-balanced and vibrant manner. John Beasley’s charts are rich and his work on this recording can be compared to that of a great fashion designer. Maria, her incredible voice and her songs are his muse in creating a garment that fits perfectly and makes the Metropole Orkest shine” METROPOLE ORKEST (Netherlands)

“Fado music needs an impressionistic voice that can express the longing and loss in these stories of melancholy. Maria Mendes surprised me with her stunning timbre of voice. She also has the charisma and  personality that is needed to connect the music to the words and  context of the songs. And, with Maria’s soul-reaching voice, which is clear as a bell and can trigger a wide range of feelings, when you listen, you are left with how to handle the beauty and artistry of what you just experienced. With “Close to Me”, you hear two genres –fado and jazz– infusing each other creating a new blend –a new musical appetite that stirs your soul” JOHN BEASLEY (USA)

“Beautiful singing and great scat”
HERMETO PASCOAL (Brazil)

“An album sung from the heart”
SHEILA JORDAN (USA)

“Maria Mendes singing is wonderful”
DORI CAYMMI (Brazil)

“I hope her crystal-clear voice and her precise diction will conquer your hearts like it did mine”
DAVID LINX (Belgium)

“Her crystal-clear voice, perfect tuning and smoothness are unique”
ROSA PASSOS (Brazil)