Angelita Jiménez is a singer, song writer, composer and musician from Brazil. Playing the guitar from a very young age, she has mastered her sound which combines Brazilian contemporary with Bossa Nova and Samba influences perfect for easy listening. Her vocals are silky, gentle, and rounded combining traditional and contemporary effortlessly both in English and Portuguese.
Born to musical parents – her mother was a classical singer and her father a composer, conductor and pianist. Whilst at University ‘PUC Campinas’, studying for a degree in Public Relations, Angelita began to hone her professional career performing as a vocalist-guitarist and launching a successful all girl band ‘Cumadre Fulo’ which became, in a very short period of time an established act within her home state Sao Paulo.
After University Angelita relocated to Florianopolis, south of Brazil. During this time Angelita had the opportunity to perform with some of Brazil’s top DJ’s at Skol Spirits event in Mole Beach. Angelita then moved to the UK and based herself in Cornwall where she stayed with friends improving her English and performing at festivals in the county such as Gollowan and the famous St Ives September Festival as well as upporting charity event ‘Peace Child Project’ at the Acorn Theatre Penzance. During this time, Angelita visited Europe including Spain, Switzerland and France where her repertoire was very well received by local audiences.
In 2006, Angelita moved to London to establish herself by performing at key venues including Shepherds Bush Empire with Cultura Londres band, launching “La Linea” – The London Latin Music Festival, The Pizza Express Jazz Club, BBC Club, Ronnie’s Scott’s, Belowzero in Heddon Street, Guanabara in Holborn, Morton’s Club in Mayfair, Floridita, The Pigalle Club with her all girl band, Favela Chic and with Sagatiba cachaça in support of some of their Marketing activities in 2007. During her time in London Angelita has been writing, recording and releasing her debut single worldwide “Brazilian Breeze” in partnership with renowned Brazilian DJ’s RYB.
‘Opening the show for the inestimable James Taylor Quartet was the lovely Angelita Jimenez from Sao Paulo Brazil who is now ensconsed safely here in the UK and quietly yet assuredly going about her business. Soft plush vocals and languid guitar are her fair tools and her bossa grooves are a truly relaxing Brazilian affair. ‘Looking Back In Love’ has the perfect sentiment for the gentle breezy lilt It’s author gives it and the beautifully restrained seductive flutter of piano, (courtesy of Alex Webb) rounds the song of sweetly. Bolstered by a responsive rhythm section featuring fellow Sau Paulista, funk supremo Kita Steuer, the girl was definitely in good hands! Telling the audience, one day she will be going back (but for now having fun, fun, fun) Angelita reeled off a genteel version of ‘Corcovado’ and unconsciously gave off the fact that you get two or three moments of raw, unencumbered happiness if you are lucky in this life! But if you manage at least remembering one of them, keep it close enough to your heart. It’s almost as if she’s trying to preserve something simple and uncomplicated, trying to pin it all down so it can be processed in that same gentle way that her predecessors such as Astrud Gilberto did. Angelita Jimenez is a bewitching, beguiling songstress for sure!’
Emrys Baird, www.bluesandsoul.com
‘Singer and guitarist Angelita Jimenez had great range and her voice meshed well with the mix of instruments and samples’
Sarah Hagerman, www.jambase.com