Sara Tavares, the Portuguese singer who valued her African roots, dies at the age of 45

In an interview promoting the release of ‘Balancê’, she said: ‘When I walk around with my friends, it’s a very, very interesting community. We speak Portuguese slang, Angolan slang, some words in Cape Verdean Criolo and of course some English. In Criolo there are already English and French words. This is because slaves from all over the world had to communicate and did not speak the same languages.”

She added, “I want to be part of a movement like African Americans were, like African Brazilians. Instead of playing the music of their ancestors, they have created their own musical identity. And that is now respected. It is considered whole, authentic and real. It will be a long time before the people of my generation no longer have to choose between being African or European. I don’t think you have to choose.”

In between her own albums, Ms. Tavares collaborated extensively, recording with the Angolan electronic group Buraka Som Sistema and the Portuguese rapper and singer. Slowly J, among other things. Her last release, in September, was “Kurtidu,” a single that used electric guitars and programmed beats. Her voice remained gentle and soaring on every song she sang, sailing above and beyond.

Information about survivors was not immediately available.

Ms. Tavares received online tributes from the presidents of both Portugal and Cape Verde, where she had won the Cabo Verde Music Awards for Best Female Voice in 2011 and for ‘Fitxadu’ in 2018.

President José Maria Neves of Cape Verde said on Facebook:

“Sara Tavares, through her voice, her smile and her gaze, was able to plant peace, friendship and brotherhood among Cape Verdeans, and also between Cape Verdeans and the world.” He added: “Your light will illuminate the path that still lies with us, in this land that temporarily welcomes us.”