Brazilian singer, guitarist and composer In style, Silvana Malta is lyrical and relaxed, singing mainly in the softer end of the classic bossa nova and samba genres. She describes herself as a Brazilian jazz singer, and her trademark is a sensual and melancholic expression, recognisable from the very first notes.  Silvana Malta began her musical life in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, where she grew up in a musically talented middle-class family, who were however less than enthusiastic about Silvana's choice of career. She began singing professionally in her youth with her sisters at various cafés and bars, with a repertoire consisting mainly of Brazilian classics. 1987 proved to be one of the major turning-points in her career, when she met an eclectic and experimental bundle of musical energy, Hermeto Pascoal, and percussionist Toninho Horta. She was soon recording with them both, and sang with Pascoal on his tours. The two Brazilian master musicians persuaded Silvana that she should find her own musical path, in search of which she travelled to New York, where as a young adult she ended up singing stereotyped Brazilian standards to support herself and her daughter – not exactly the career she had dreamt of. However, her trip to the USA brought some good with it, for it was here that she met her husband to be: the Danish bassist Torben Westergaard. As a result she ended up in Denmark, where she has put down both personal and musical roots. In addition to her husband, her permanent band includes several leading Danish jazz musicians, including guitarist Jacob Fischer and drummer Jonas Johansen. In recent years Malta has increasingly collaborated with other artists, such as the Danish pianist and composer Frans Bak on the recording ‘Bossa Nuts’, and the DR Big Band on the CD ‘Flor de Verão’. Three of Silvana Malta's CDs have been among the finalists for the "CD of the Year" prize at the Danish World Awards – a record number. The recordings in question were 'Cravo e Canela', nominated in 2002, 'Insensatez' in 2005, and 'Céu de Brasilia' in 2006. By Mikkel Hornnes This article was produced in co-operation with the periodical Djembe:  www.djembe.dk

Silvana Malta was born in 1960 in the town of Marília, in the Brazilian state of Sâo Paulo Latest album: Silvana Malta, featuring Airto Moreira and Toninho Horta: 'Céu de Brasília' )2005) Other releases:  Silvana Malta Group: Insensatez (2004) Silvana Malta & Frans Bak: Bossa Nuts (2004) Silvana Malta & Danish Radio Big Band: Flor de verâo (2003) Web: www.silvanamalta.com