Grammy and Latin Grammy Award – nominated singer and composer Maria Mendes has traveled through a wide world of musical expression and broad influences. Hailed by DownBeat magazine as “a jazz singer of the highest order whose poise is as impressive as her power”.

Mendes’ journey has taken her around the world and across the boundaries between different musical styles. On her latest release, Close To Me (Justin Time), the versatile jazz singer explores Fado, the melancholic music that originated in Portugal, for the first time. However, the project is far from a traditional take on the genre. Working with Grammy-winning arranger/pianist/producer John Beasley and the Grammy-winning Metropole Orkest. Mendes finds her own signature connection to the music of her homeland. Close to Me is the winner of the Edison Jazz Awards 2020 in category Jazz Vocal National.

This year, a long-cherished wish of the singer has come true. Together with Metropole Orkest she will bring Close To Me to the stage. Mendes will tour the Dutch halls this year for an unforgettable live performance of this widely acclaimed project. The repertoire for the concerts will consist of new arrangements specially adapted to the Metropole Orkest and some of Maria’s new work.