Mariza's first brand new studio album since early 2005, 'Terra' (EMI) signals an exciting, new creative force in Mariza's music. In the period since her last studio recording 'Transparente' (EMI), the iconic fado singer has released a highly acclaimed concert disc 'Concerto Em Lisboa' (EMI), filled major concert halls worldwide (including, in the UK, the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and Barbican), appeared repeatedly on TV and released a boxed set retrospective of her story so far entitled simply 'Mariza' (EMI, 3CD and 2 DVD set).
Three years without a new studio album has generated much speculation about the direction her new disc would take: would it retrench on her earlier fado programme or move in new non-fado directions? In the event, 'Terra' elegantly and organically does both. Contained within its fourteen songs are new musical ideas and directions, yet the feel remains decidely Portuguese and the album includes what is, arguably, some of Mariza's most impassioned, subtle and complete singing to date.
Through the combination of her unique talent and seven years of hard work and discipline, Mariza has attained the status of a great global singer. She has done this not only by exploring the traditional elements within Fado but incorporating the new voices of Fado poets and being prepared to find subtle accommodations with the best contemporary visions of the music. From her debut album 'Fado Em Mim', through 'Fado Curvo', the groundbreaking 'Transparente' and the "live" set "Concerto Em Lisboa', Mariza has simultaneously held sway as both the voice of tradition / revival and that of change. With her brand new album 'Terra' ('Earth'), this iconic singer takes that balance within her work and begins a whole new creative phase.
Mariza has performed concerts on four continents with notable success and full houses; the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra; the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the Teatro Grec in Barcelona, the Albeniz Theatre in Madrid, the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Opera House in Sydney, twice at the Blue Note Festival in Gant, twice at the Royal Theatre Carre in Amsterdam, Olympia in Paris, Live 8 at The Eden Project in Cornwall in the UK ('Africa Calling'), the Chicago World Music Festival, WOMAD, the San Francisco Jazz Festival, the Macau Cultural Centre and at Moscow's House of Music and in November this year at the Royal Albert Hall in the UK.
Mariza sang a duet with Sting for the 2004 Olympic Games Album. She is National Ambassador of UNICEF and won the amongst others the following prices: the Golden Globes in Portugal (2006), European Border Breakers Award, the BBC 3 World Music Award & Portugals Personality of the Year Award (2003). Terra was nominated for best album of the year of 2009 Songlines/Womad.