Lutchinha
Maria Neves Leite, also known as Lutchinha, was born in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde Islands. Lutchinha started singing when she was 7 years old. She has performed in several "Noites Caboverdianas" in Sao Vicente, including a few for different official groups visiting Cape Verde including Heads of State. She participated in a singing contest in Sao Vicente called "Todo Mundo Canta." Lutchinha won the contest in Sao Vicente and went to the capital of Cape Verde, Praia, on the island of Santiago, to represent São Vicente, nationally. She also participated in the "Festival de Vozes Femininas" in Praia, with Cesaria Evora, Zenaida Chantre, Titina, and other major artists. In 1988, she represented Cape Verde at the International Students Festival in the Soviet Union, and she performed in Portugal for former President Mario Soares. Lutchinha has recorded with many Cape Verdean artists, including Ramiro Mendes, Calu Bana, Ze Rui, Jacqueline Fortes, Vuca Pinheiro, Manuel Timas, Ney Miranda, Tony Azevedo, Galvao and many more.
Lutchinha's newest CD release, "Castanhinha," is teeming with strong vocals, fearless traditional grooves, and a rich Cape Verdean-tinged texture. Said Lutchinha, who inherited music from her parents: "Only my family and friends know the hardship I went through to record this album. Lutchinha was delighted and proud of the CD outcome."
She strings the musical picture collectively with such ease from beginning to end. The title song, "Castanhinha," a sensitive morna dedicated to her mother, sets the tone for the more cadenced tunes such as the vibrating "Xan Canta," the Brazilian Samba "Meu Amor" or the charming "Calvario."
On luscious and mesmerizing songs such as "Lembrança na Peito," composed by Glanzer Ramos and Djim Job, "M'nine d'Rua," by her and Nando Lopes, and "Reanima," by Cape Verde beloved Singer and songwriter Djo D'Loy, Lutchinha shows her sharpness and versatility by using her stellar and high-pitched vocals with towering class, which gives the music a boost.
With her passionate voice, she emotionally shouts Xame Canta", Let me sing," composed by her (lyrics) and Ze Timas (melody), and spreads happiness to make people cheerful in this world. "Castanhinha" definitely brings happiness to her fans.
In 2014 Lutchinha recorded her second album with the all-female band “Cruzamento”.
1981- Won second place in the musical contest Cape Verde Island Todo Mundo Canta
1985 – Represented Cape Verde in Festival of Students at Soviet Union
1988 – Represented Cape Verde in Portugal
1989 – Moved to USA where she became a singer of the band “Os Pecos”
Performing throughout New England and Florida.
2004 – Recorded first album “CASTANHINHA”
2005 – Her album “CASTANHINHA” was selected the best album of the year at
the Capeverdean music awards in RI
2005 – Participated in the festival of Gamboa and Baia Das Gatas, the two most
prestigious music festivals in the Cape Verde Islands
2006 – Invited as a special guest to perform at the Festival of Morna in island of
Boa Vista, Cape Verde
2007 – Performed at the reception gala, honoring the President of Cape Verde
during his visit to Boston, MA.
2008 – Participated in “Mostra Cabo Verde” organized by Cape Verdean
Consulate in Boston, MA.
2009 - Toured Senegal and Cape Verde for several shows in the presence of a large
crowd with various local artists
2010 – Boston City Hall Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
2011 – Participated in Hello Cabo Verde Expo New Bedford
2011- Participated in Inauguration of Fast Ferry Boat In Brava Cape Verde,
2011 - Participated in Gala in Cape Verde Celebrating our Independence
2012- Boston City Hall Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
2012 – Created a girl band “Cruzamente” where performed around the New
England
2013 – Lowell Folk Festival,
2014 – Recorded an album with Cruzamente Band (all Female Band)
2014 – Participated in Bangor Maine Folk Festival,
2014 -Boston City Hall Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
2014- Festival in Brockton Celebrating Cape Verde Independence Celebration
2015 - Montana Folk Festival,
2015 - Onset Festival
2015 - Greensboro Folk Festival,
2015 - Shows in Rotterdam Holland
2016 – Europe (Holland, France) and Cape Verde island tour.
April (show in Rotterdam Holland)
May (special guest for Cape Verdean Music Award in Cape Verde)
May (show in Paris France)
2017 – Participated in the reception for Cape Verdean entities visiting USA
(President and Prime Minister) participated in New Bedford Cape Verdean
Association Gala Dinner, participated in many fundraisings,
2018 – Tour to different island in Cape Verde. Restaurant Kintal da musica,
Restaurant Avis (Praia), Divinart Povoacao (Santo Antao), Porto Novo (Santo Antao)
2018 – Honored with a lifetime achievement award by Damata Foundation
2018 - Boston City Hall Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
2018 - Brockton Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
2018 - Celebrated 30 years of her music career
2018- Nominated to US/CV music award with (music career)
2019 – some participation in cds of other artists, did some performance locally,
cape Verdean independence Festival
2021- release of videoclipe Nos Convivencia
2022- release of videoclipe Meddly Morna
2023 – Zumiz festival Boston
2023 – Boston Independence
3032 – Brockton Festival
2023 – Virginia Folk Festival
2024 – Lowell Folk Festival
