Carminho sings Tom Jobim review: A sublime star on the rise

The relationship of Brazil to Portugal is like the US to Britain, a former colony that became (over-)dominant economically and culturally.

But as Portuguese fado singer Carminho said, there are important differences: “The Brazilians sing sadness in a major key, while the Portuguese sing happiness in the minor.”

This EFG London Jazz Festival concert celebrated Tom Jobim, the founder of bossa nova — one of the leading composers of the 20th century.

Carminho was singing with a starry quartet of Brazilian musicians — Tom Jobim’s son Paulo on guitar, his grandson Daniel on piano, the superb cellist Jaques Morelenbaum and Paulo Braga on drums. A band of real quality and experience.

​Carminho had selected a set of songs that side-stepped the Girl from Ipanema bossa nova clichés and, in concert, was neatly mixed with a handful of fados.

She has a chiaroscuro voice which goes from a whisper to a passionate entreaty in seconds.

The opening Sabiá duet of voice of cello was simply sublime. Carminho has recently emerged as one of Portugal’s new fado stars and is charismatic and commanding on stage.

This London concert at the end of a huge European tour puts her up there among the big names.