Entrevista - Maria Viana

How did you end up being a singer? How did it all begin?
1979 was the *anmus mirabilis* for me, as Jazz critic and missionary, José Carlos Monteiro Costa (who is no longer with us, but still occupies a very important place in my affections), wrote in Diário de Notícias:
'One summer night I was in the Lisbon Sheraton at the opening of a painting exhibition of a friend of mine. Descending afterwards to the bar for a beer I heard someone singing, 'It Had to Be You,' with a voice that gripped me from just the first few bars. The beautiful tone was one of the best I'd ever heard. There was moreover a great feeling for tempo, balance, emotion. I asked who it was and was told that she was a Portuguese called Maria who loved to sing. Happily I was able to talk to her and later provided me with standard material from Ella, Billie, Sarah, and Anita O'Day. The only thing I could do after that was to introduce her to the producers of Cascais Jazz Festival, Luis Villas-Boas and Duarte Mendonça who took an immediate interest in her, arranging for rehearsals and Jam sessions.'

Why did you choose jazz?
I guess it is a very democratic and challenging kind of music - also I was lucky.

What's it like to be a woman in the jazz world? Would you say there is a difference?
A very small one – after the first 20 years one does not notice it...

What was your biggest challenge?
To Love, of course!

What was your most memorable moment in your career?
Some Buddhists say that a moment is a collection of 30.000 moments - I loved most of it, but one could say that playing for Al Grey, Hal Galper, Jonh Horler, Bill Goodwin, Phil Markowitz, Alan Thomas, Bernardo Sassetti, Emilio Robalo, Carlos Barretto, Jens Sondergaard, Chicago Beau, Moreira Brothers, Paulo Gomes, Zé Eduardo, Joan Monné - "jamming" with Norman Simmons or Red Rodney are some of the most beautiful memories... but The Best is yet to come!

What's it like being a mother and a musician at the same time?
First I am a mother- I’m more active since my son turned 12 - and now that he is 21 I’ll try harder.

Do you have a special ritual before a gig?
Besides warming up I pray before the gig.

Which musicians do you really love to work with?
People who dig what I do - with whom I can simply do music, have fun and learn from.

Tell us more about your project „Terra Prometida". What inspired you to do this record?
I really needed to pray in my singing.

Any advice to all the wannabe jazz singers?
Yes - Be Good - Very Good - and Support one another

http://mariaviana.com.sapo.pt/

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