Maria Mendes
artist, vocalist, composer
4X Grammy nominated vocalist, composer and arranger Maria Mendes is internationally praised for her vocal adventuresome and uncharted music, defying the genre categorisation.
Hailed by DownBeat magazine as “a jazz singer of the highest order,” Mendes can claim successful solo projects with the Metropole Orkest, pianist John Beasley and clarinetist Anat Cohen. The vocalist has released four striking solo albums with her 4Tet, most recently marrying Jazz and Portuguese Fado on the Edison Jazz award-winner album “Close To Me” and the live album “Saudade, Colour of Love” listed Best Jazz Album 2022 on Downbeat, Jazziz, Jazzthing, Jazzwise and Jazzism.
With Wayne Shorter’s blessings, Mendes premiered his contemporary jazz piece “Gaia” in Europe alongside the Bielefeld Philharmonieker, saxophonist Magnus Lindgren and John Beasley. Mendes’ song “Inverso,” was featured on the soundtrack of an Emmy-winning tv show.
Mendes is a Portuguese, Rotterdam based Jazz vocalist/composer who has thrilled audiences around the world, from New York City’s iconic Blue Note Jazz Club to grand stages including the world-renowned Concertgebouw in Amsterdam as well as the North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals.
Mendes will be releasing her 5th solo album Spring 2015. An ode to women and their resilience. The power of the sung and spoken word of women poets and composers from the past 10 centuries through original compositions braiding electronic with acoustic sounds in 4Tet – Cédric Hanriot (p/synths); Jasper Somsen (db); Mário Costa (d).
- I am looking to collaborate with orchestras and big bands worldwide for 2025-2026 with my 4x Grammy nominated project that blends modern creative Jazz with Fado. This collaboration can involve the Grammy winner American jazz pianist JOHN BEASLEY, who can conduct the orchestra. 10 songs fully orchestrated for Big Band as well for chamber orchestra are available!
- I am looking for booking representation in USA and Asia for 2025-2026 Tour! Projects: my 4X Grammy nominated Fado-Jazz project to be played with local orchestras + for my 4TET’s new album (repertoire sung in Portuguese and English celebrating 10 centuries of women poets and composers)