Publishing the history & culture
of Southeastern New England • Since 1981
Publishing the history & culture
of Southeastern New England • Since 1981
Paperback
ISBN 978-0-932027-85-6
68 pages • 7.25” x 10”
40+ photos & Illustrations
Coming Soon
Music has the remarkable ability to connect generations, preserve cultural traditions, and bridge the distance between homelands and new beginnings. In KabuMerikanus: The Sum of US, Candida Rose Baptista explores the enduring musical relationship between Cabo Verde and the United States, celebrating the artists, traditions, and communities that have shaped this unique cultural legacy.
Through the stories of musicians and cultural pioneers, the book traces the influence of Cabo Verdean heritage on American music, from traditional forms such as morna, batuku, and funana to the evolving sounds of jazz, rhythm and blues, and contemporary musical styles. It highlights the achievements of artists whose Cape Verdean roots helped shape their creative identities, while recognizing the countless performers and community leaders who kept their musical traditions alive across generations.
At the heart of this exploration is the Cape Verdean-American experience—the journey of a people who carried their music, language, and cultural traditions across the Atlantic while building new lives in the United States. Their music became a source of belonging, a means of cultural expression, and a powerful link to their ancestral homeland.
Drawing on historical research, cultural insights, and a personal connection to this musical heritage, Baptista examines how these traditions continue to evolve through the exchange of influences between Cabo Verde and its American diaspora.
KabuMerikanus The Sum of US is both a celebration of Cape Verdean musical achievement and a tribute to the shared experiences that unite people across cultures, generations, and oceans.
