Singer-songwriter Cissa Paz has made a name for herself in Washington, DC as an eclectic performer influenced by the local jazz sounds and her Brazilian African-Indigenous background. Nominated for 3 Wammies, her debut album gained great organic momentum. Cissa’s captivating stage presence and soulful voice bring music that is upbeat and engaging. She’s known and loved among the lovers and dancers of Brazilian music not only as a performer, but as an ambassador of her genre. Her upcoming album promises a combination of Afro-Brazilian base with funky and soulful influences. A musical melting pot of fresh collaborations with highly acclaimed artists from her home country.
Cissa’s sound was initially influenced by samba, afoxé, forro, maracatu and the popular music of Brazil. After moving to the U.S., she fell in love with Jazz, Go-go, Soul and Hip Hop and over the years her travels exposed her to more of the world’s music landscape. After falling in love with the music of Cape Verde and studying much of it, Cissa is now writing songs with that influence at heart as well as her old and new discoveries. “I’ll never get tired of falling in love with music”, she says.