Latin Female Singers - Any suggestions?

Really surprised no one has mentioned Rocio Durcal or Ana Gabriel.  Their renditions of Mexican standards, although very different to one another's, are unforgettable.

Jane Duboc of Bacamarte. Their only album "Depois Do Fim" (1983) is a ethnic/jazz/fusion/prog/rock masterpiece:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112390622927?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Elaine elias

Glad I stumbled upon this thread. I will seek out others' suggestions.

In order to contribute... while this isn't a female singer or Latin, ..check out Rodrigo y Gabriela "S/T". While instrumental, it has some Latin flavor and overall, is in the same context musically.

Thanks!

Ana Moura is Portuguese.

Great clip Tubegroover; thanks for sharing. Her stylistic range was also surprising. She could cut loose and rock! This is one of my favorites of hers:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eCPAJhemZYk

If you enjoy Brazilian female vocals you should check out Joyce (Joy-seh). I own 'Joyce & Banda Maluca - Just A Little Bit Crazy' and 'Joyce with Dori Caymmi - Rio Bahia'. Very authentic and very, very cool!

Another favorite would be Cesaria Evora, a wonderful singer! 'Sao Vicente' and 'Voz D'Amor' are 2 very fine records to start with!

Frogman I agree her delivery is quite special. She can move you in many ways. I would suspect she might be an acquired taste for the average American listener hearing her for the first time but there will be others that fall in love. One thing for sure about this music, at least to me, it can't be separated from the language.

This one really is evocative of my early visits and those early impressions, the sound of Brazil and its initial effect on me and a good example why I love this singer so much, she captures it's soul. Of course Brazil has a other sounds as well but this is Bossa Nova at it's very best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBVhRyAQNhA

Tubegroover, great suggestions. But, man! I just listened again to the clip
in my post from 2/26/13 and I would have to agree with your agreement.
Elis Regina was amazing. First of all there is something about her, her
vibe, and simply the way she speaks that screams sensuality and make her
delivery unparalleled. Those breaks at 1:40 and 2:31 are amazing!

[URL]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nsKWQA4sLZg&feature=relmfu[/URL]

Hew if you like Gal Costa with that breathy shimmer at the end of a phrase, uniquely Gal, I would highly recommend "Gal Costa Canta Jom Jobim" a live 2 cd set with excellent sonics, superb arrangements and Gal in top form. The "Elis and Tom" recommendation is superb as well. Other Brazilian artists I've enjoyed over the years include Mincha, Simone, Marisa Monte, Ana Carolina and Beth Carvalho among others. All quite different but the idea is that Brazilian singers cover a wide range of styles and music.

Frogman I would guess you are probably right, I would say the Elis Regina is probably Brazil's most beloved Brazilian female singer even though she's been gone over 30 years.

Asrh, not Rash. My sincere apologies for this spell check.

Rash, which country of origin for this musician if you don't mind me asking?

Ana Moura (see album Coliseau). Beautiful.

Agree with many of the above but must add
Cesaria Evora….the barefoot diva from Cape Verde.Try an album called 'Cesaria' …one of my all-time faves.
Virginia Rodrigues…Brazil…check out an album called 'Nos'

Elis and Tom
Elis Regina with the master himself Antonio Carlos Jobim.
this is the must have Bossa Nova album.

Lila Downs, Lhasa de Sela (Lhasa)and Julieta Venegas

Carmen Gomes Inc;'Thousand Shades of Blue' is a fantastic live in the studio album.4 instruments;voice,guitar,upright bass,and drums(cajon replacing the drums on the lovely title track).Everything is there great separation,stereo imaging,depth and balance.
The version of Bruce Springsteen's I'm on Fire is a musical and audiophile masterpiece,check out how the snare drum and the haunting guitar voicing complement but never cover up each other.
http://www.soundliaison.com

Gaby Moreno.

Violeta del Carmen Parra Sandoval, from chile.

If you really want to get exotic, try Aster Aweke from Ethiopia. She communicates the primordial soul of "woman"; you can feel the intensity of her passion. I see she's still performing here in the states.

Oops, wrong thread. Sorry, guys/gals.

A few thoughts on the Buena Vista sound. If one uses as criteria two of Jazz's essential ingredients, improvisation and roots in African music, it is clearly "jazz"' as Rok points out. But the music heard on most of BVSC's recordings is actually closer to the "guajira" and "son" styles; the "country-music" of Cuba. The repetitive vocal style is the influence of the chants of the music that the West African slaves brought to the mix. It predates the Cubano-bop that came a decade or two later.

"Salome De Bahia" is out of sight, so is Susana Baca, she's from Peru. Silvia Gomez, Nazare Pereira, Clara Nunes, Beth Carvalho, Fortuna, and Claudia Gomez, are all Latin singers.

Enjoy the music.

Eliane Elias "A Long Story" is a great album!

It's a shame Elis Regina passed at such a very young 36 years in 1982.

I'm a Brazilian fanatic. Frogman is correct that Ellis Regina is the best of the best. Check her out with Antonio Carlos Jobim called Ellis & Tom. It doesn't get any better.

Check out Bebel Gilberto. She's the daughter of Joao Gilberto who basically invented Bossa Nova.

If you want to hear something very special, Ellis Regina's daughter Maria Rita is nothing short of stunning. Check out her latest ELO. I'm positive without having any idea that she won a Latin Grammy for ELO.

I don't have much time to post right now but I can elaborate soon. I could go on forever about Brazilian music. It's my personal preference for Latin music. The history is amazing and the music is as influential as any other form of music from anywhere at any time in history.

For any lover of the female voice, its hard to overlook artists like Eliane and Karrin. What I am really seeking are the more obscure, overlooked singers. Even so, the suggestions are all great - please keep them coming.

I had a chance to listen Gal Costa's Live at the Blue Note and she is definitely among my favorites of those suggested. Also worth mentioning are Sylvia Telles, Tania Maria and Nara Leao discovered through the related artists feature on Spotify (great previewing tool). I just received a Susana Baca disc with a pile of other stuff I haven’t had a chance to listen as yet.

Back in the good ole days, there was one particular used cd store I loved visiting. I’d go at least once per week and spend hours going through isle after isles of cds discovering all the hidden gems. The best part of the store was the locked glass cabinets at the front where they stored audiophile stuff -- namely, MFSL for $14 each. I vividly recall the day, I went to pay for my usual pile and the proprietor suggested I include a compilation by David Byrne titled Adventures in Afropea 3. This was my intro to Cesaria and morna. I have been a fan since. This compilation is really worth searching out btw - wonderful music, especially the first track on the disc.

Peruvian Susana Baca might be of interest. She has an enchanting voice IMO and has worked extensively with Marc Ribot, David Byrne and John Medeski among others.

Susana Baca in Concert

Second Celia Cruz and Gal Costa. Many fans of Brazilian female singers would say that Elis Regina was the greatest ever.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nsKWQA4sLZg&feature=relmfu

F.Y.I.....Eliane Elias is currently married to Jazz bassist Marc Johnson and her talent was well established before any marriage to any musician.I would hate to think that anyone might be left with the impression she would have to ride in anyone's wake.She is a gifted musician.

Celia Cruz is the queen is latin music. Listen to the one she did with Johnny Pacheco. http://www.amazon.com/Celia-Johnny-Cruz/dp/B0039TD78Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1361855165&sr=1-1&keywords=celia+and+johnny

Monica Salmaso-Brazilian

Luciana Souza - Brasil

Omara portuondo, super Cuban music she was in Buena vista social club project.
From Spain Ana Belen excellent.
Xiomara Laugart from Havana she performed Celia Cruz in broadway iTunes has her albums you can listen I see if you like it before purchasing.
I love female vocals.

Rosa Passos - Brazilian

I recognize a couple that you mention. Here is 2 that I very much enjoy, although differing from the style's you mention:

Rosa Passos - folk, jazz
Chiara Civello - 'Last Quarter Moon' ; pop? easy listening?

Karrin Allyson - Imagina
Gal Costa - Live at the Blue Note

Mercedes Sosa. ...SIMPLY THE BEST Musician....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foDhMfp_Pcw

Lidia Borda: (Best current Tango Female voice)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHiqfx-5K9M

Libertad Lamarque (Best Tango Female voice ever)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXBw89C7IvQ

Paula Morelembaum (she is good) (Brazil bosanova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHEFdWGMW00

Maria Bethania (brazil - bossanova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDIpm5PW8xY

Not sure if this qualifies but Vaya Con Dios is excellent. Their album of the same name is fantastic along with this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDvo895L6G8

For a Latin female jazz composer/pianist/vocalist, I recommend Tania Maria.

Randy Brecker's wife Eliane Elias is virtuoso piano player and great brazilian singer.
Flora Purim(often performs with her husband Airto Moreira) is great fusion-brazilian singer.
I hope you know of Cesaria Evora

LHasa is Canadian by residence and half-mexican and half-jewish. RIP.