Bau

Rufino Almeida, a.k.a. Bau, (1962 - ) is a native of Sao Vicente, one of the many islands of the Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) archipelago. Bau's father made stringed instruments in Mindelo and, for Bau's seventh birthday, gave him his first instrument---a cavaquinho, which is a small four stringed guitar, similar to a ukulele, used in Brazil and in Cape Verde to mark the beat. Bau's father taught him how to make guitars, cavaquinhos, violins, and also how to play them. Bau continues to master his musical skills, combining instrumental virtuosity with a self-taught and instinctive sensitivity. He plays the cavaquinho, both 10 and 12 string guitar, and violin. In 1994, Bau joined the band accompanied Cesaria Evora on stage. He became her director of musical formation in 1996, serving in that capacity until 1999, when he returned home to Mindelo in Cape Verde, and continues to record. Discography Top d'coroa 1993 Jailza 1995 Inspiracao 1998 Blimundo 2000 Cape Verdean Melancholy 2002 Silencio 2003