Biography
Waldemar Bastos, born in Zaire, raised in Angola and now based in Portugal, presents the political upheavals of southern Africa through a lens of serenity and romance. Music emerged as a vital channel for his hopeful outlook even while he endured the weight of colonial rule throughout his youth.
His gift for music revealed itself early. Just past his seventh birthday, his father—an itinerant nurse skilled on piano and organ—returned home to hear him performing melodies on an accordion. Given the choice of a bicycle or music lessons for Christmas, the boy selected the lessons. Although he never mastered written notation, his innate ability enabled him to reproduce elaborate pieces solely by ear.
Traveling with his parents, both nurses, exposed Bastos to an array of musical traditions. His songs remain anchored in African guitar pop, yet the arrangements draw in Brazilian and Portuguese elements.
His first ensemble, Jovial, played across Angola. Following independence in 1974 after the overthrow of Portuguese dictator Samoza, he turned to original material, though he still confronted the nation’s harsh treatment of its artists. During the colonial period Portuguese political police held him briefly in detention. In 1977, when many urban performers were killed for anti-state actions, Bastos evaded harm by touring the Soviet bloc and appearing in Poland, Czechoslavakia, Cuba and the former Soviet Union.
He left Angola in 1982 and settled temporarily in Brazil, where he recorded his debut album, Estamos Juntos. After a short interval in Paris he moved to Portugal, where he still lives.
The 1990 release Angola Minha Namorada (“My Sweetheart Angola”) was followed two years later by Pitanga Madura (“Ripe Berry”); its title track became a major hit in Angola. Pretaluz appeared in 1998 as his first album to reach international markets.
His gift for music revealed itself early. Just past his seventh birthday, his father—an itinerant nurse skilled on piano and organ—returned home to hear him performing melodies on an accordion. Given the choice of a bicycle or music lessons for Christmas, the boy selected the lessons. Although he never mastered written notation, his innate ability enabled him to reproduce elaborate pieces solely by ear.
Traveling with his parents, both nurses, exposed Bastos to an array of musical traditions. His songs remain anchored in African guitar pop, yet the arrangements draw in Brazilian and Portuguese elements.
His first ensemble, Jovial, played across Angola. Following independence in 1974 after the overthrow of Portuguese dictator Samoza, he turned to original material, though he still confronted the nation’s harsh treatment of its artists. During the colonial period Portuguese political police held him briefly in detention. In 1977, when many urban performers were killed for anti-state actions, Bastos evaded harm by touring the Soviet bloc and appearing in Poland, Czechoslavakia, Cuba and the former Soviet Union.
He left Angola in 1982 and settled temporarily in Brazil, where he recorded his debut album, Estamos Juntos. After a short interval in Paris he moved to Portugal, where he still lives.
The 1990 release Angola Minha Namorada (“My Sweetheart Angola”) was followed two years later by Pitanga Madura (“Ripe Berry”); its title track became a major hit in Angola. Pretaluz appeared in 1998 as his first album to reach international markets.
Albums
