Surviving imprisonment and then escaping the civil war in Angola for Brazil, then Portugal, Waldemar Bastos survived because of music. Today, he’s considered the voice of his native country, where he now lives again.
You don’t have to speak Portuguese or understand the situation in Africa’s 7th largest nation to appreciate Bastos’ divine sound. He spoke to KCRW’s Lisa Napoli about the life events that inspire his music.
Aratani Festival of Sacred Music, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles Tickets: $20-35 Details here. Here’s Waldemar on Rhythm Planet with Tom Schnabel.
