Fantcha

Fantcha was born as Francelina Durão Almeida in Mindelo on São Vicente Island, Cape Verde. From an early age, she grew up in a household full of music, instilling in her a love for singing. Instead of playing with dolls or hopscotch with her friends, Fantcha’s biggest pleasure as a child was to make music with her two brothers, who enjoyed playing guitar and cavaquinho at home. 

Around the age of 10, Fantcha joined the Flores do Mindelo Carnaval company. As it is in Brazil, Carnaval is a yearly highlight of Mindelo’s social and musical life. Ti Goy, one of the most famous composers in the city at the time, served as the company’s musical director. He quickly realized that this young girl had a powerful timbre that people would notice, a voice that would help the company stand out amongst stiff competition; to cultivate her talent, he told Fantcha that she should become a singer and offered her lessons. Years later, Ti Goy introduced Fantcha to Cesária Évora; while Ti Goy instructed her in rhythm, Cesaria showed her how to bring emotion and phrasing into her music. 

In 1988 – the same year Cesaria recorded an album that would change her destiny – Fantcha was in Lisbon, recording for beloved Cape Verdean singer Bana. That same year, at the invitation of the Massachusetts Cape Verdean community, she travelled to the US for a concert series in the company of Cesaria Evora. Fantcha decided to stay in the US permanently, and now lives in New York. She has released four albums, including her most recent, Nôs Caminhada (2016), in homage to her mentor Cesária Evora and featuring some of Cesária’s own repertoire. The album includes compositions by Teofilo Chantre and Betú, and its titular track, “Nôs Caminhada,” lovingly remembers the moments spent with Cesária, who Fantcha considers a second mom. 

A charismatic performer, Fantcha has developed a unique musical style with African, Cuban and Portuguese influences. Her rich, sensuous voice complements the soulful morna genre, evoking the ache of longing and loss. She is equally compelling in the coladeira genre, getting audiences up on their feet to dance to its energetic pulse. Fantcha was featured on Putumayo’s compilation, Putumayo Presents Cape Verde, and she has toured widely in Europe, Cabo Verde, and the U.S., performing at the Hollywood Bowl, Chicago World Music Festival, and New York’s Summerstage, among others.