Maria João, born Maria João Monteiro Grancha on June 27, 1956, in Lisbon, Portugal, is a Portuguese jazz singer. After pursuing sports in her youth, she began studying music in 1982 at the Hot Clube de Portugal school of jazz in Lisbon, forming the Maria João Quintet in 1983. The group released their self-titled debut studio album, Quinteto Maria João, in 1983, followed by Cem Caminhos in 1985, which earned her a Nova Gente Award for Female Performer of the Year and acclaim at the San Sebastián Jazz Festival. She subsequently collaborated with Japanese pianist Aki Takase on albums including Looking for Love in 1988 and Alice in 1992, and joined the group Cal Viva for the studio album Sol in 1991. Beginning in 1994, she established a long-term duo with pianist Mário Laginha, producing studio albums including Danças in 1994, Fábula in 1996, and Cor in 1998. In 2010, she released Follow the Songlines alongside David Linx, and in 2012 recorded A Different Porgy & Another Bess with David Linx and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. In 2006, she was appointed Commander of the Order of Prince Henry.
