VIRGINIA RODRIGUES
Biography

Virgínia Rodrigues da Silva was born into a poor family in Salvador, Bahia. Her father was a construction worker; her mother a fruit-and vegetable seller in the market. She got her first formal training in Church , and through imitation became acquainted with voice projection, intonation, harmony, part-singing and phrasing. Later she gained a rudimentary knowledge of the piano from a series of afternoon lessons, which lasted only briefly.

After leaving the church in her twenties, while dreaming of having a career as a singer, she worked as a manicurist, a domestic, and a cook. Márcio Meireles, director of a local theatre group had been looking for a performer with a big voice to fill a particular roll. By chance he happened to hear Rodrigues' rare vocal gift as she performed with a Renaissance choir. Meireles subsequently introduced her to legendary musician Caetano Veloso.

Rodrigues' first album, 'Sol Negro', was released in 1998 to wide international acclaim.
On 'Sol Negro', Rodrigues moves from the sacred to the samba with incredible ease, performing a diverse repertoire of tunes that were chosen to particularly exhibit her talent .
Musicians involved in the project include legends Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento and Djavan.

from http://www.artsworld.com/music-dance/biographies/p-r/Rodriguez,%20Virginia.html

Discography

Mares Profundos
14 October, 2003

2. Nós
01 February, 2000

3. Sol Negro [Hannibal]
15 September, 1998

4. Sol Negro
18 September, 2002

5. Nos
18 September, 2002

6. Sol Negro
12 May, 1998