Marisa Monte

Singer Marisa Monte is one of Brazil's best loved and enduring popular singers. She has sold over ten million albums and received numerous industry accolades including four Latin Grammy Awards.

Monte was born in Rio de Janeiro and during her childhood had a comprehensive schooling in music studying piano, singing, drums and opera. In the 1980s her attempts to break into the music scene in Brazil were unsuccessful and she relocated to Italy where she met the renowed Brazilian producer Nelson Motta. Under Motta's influence Monte re-invented herself as a blend of Brazilian-style diva and pop rock artist building live experience in Italy prior to another attempt at establishing herself on the Brazilian music scene.

After recording a TV special in Brazil, a soundtrack from the programme was released which contained the track 'Bem Que Se Quis'. The single was played extensively on radio stations throughout Brazil and launched Monte's career in her homeland. She went on to become one of the country's best-selling artists and, as well as recording in the style of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), she also records in the tradtional samba and folk style.