Neco Novellas

Long before he pursued formal studies at European conservatories, Mozambican artist Neco Novellas had already built a substantial following across his home country. His career trajectory unfolds most clearly through the lens of family collaboration. Raised in a household where both parents worked as musicians, Neco and his two brothers and two sisters encountered classical music in church settings, jazz and pop through radio broadcasts, and traditional African styles on the streets. The siblings often performed together, labeling their mixture of influences "Novellas Music for the World." Accompanied by his guitar and supported by his brothers and sisters, Neco gained recognition in Mozambique as a recording artist. After reaching a level of achievement few contemporaries could match, he sought structured musical instruction. A grant enabled him to attend the Academia de Musica Eborense and Universidade de Musica de Evora, where he concentrated on classical guitar and voice. While his siblings maintained careers as musicians in South Africa and Mozambique, Neco toured and performed across Europe. During a visit to Holland he developed a strong connection to the Codarts Rotterdam Conservatory of Music and soon resumed his studies there. Although his brothers and sisters appeared with him for occasional shows in Holland, the five Novellas only began consistent collaboration in 2004. They reunited in South Africa to record Neco's debut album, Mita Famba. The next year his brothers joined him as students at Codarts, turning Rotterdam into the family's base. His second original project, New Dawn -- Ku Khata, appeared on the Netherlands-based World Connection label. The release introduced him to extensive international touring, with performances on stages from Istanbul to New York alongside labelmate Sara Tavares.