“Blues is universal! There will always be followers in Brazil, France, Mexico, xxx—wherever you go. Blues is an eternal, universal language. The very essence of blues keeps its followers by regenerating, rebuilding, reinventing itself, and continuing to capture the ears and souls of those who listen. The proof of this is that many musical genres come and go over time, but blues is the root of it all, and it endures.”

Nanda Moura: Contemporary Blues

Brazilian native Nanda Moura is a mesmerizing performer who submerges audiences in the soulful blues sounds. Moura adds a new and contemporary spin to this venerable genre by specializing in the contemporary blues subgenre. Moura masterfully combines elements of rock, jazz, and soul into her compositions while retaining a strong awareness of the blues' historical foundations to produce a sound that is both recognizable and fresh. Moura's expressive guitar playing demonstrates her knowledge of the blues and eloquently captures the unadulterated feelings and narrative that are at the core of this genre. Her deep vocals, which are infused with grit and passion, further amplify the genuine blues performance she offers. Whether she is singing poignant ballads or strong anthems, Moura's performances take the audience to a place where the blues rule supreme.            (Nanda Maura, Blues Roots Festival, 2024  / Photo © by François Colin)

The Brazilian blues musician Nanda Moura has made a name for herself as a major player in the field of modern blues. Moura's music is a witness to her love and commitment, drawing on the rich heritage of this genre and blending it with her own distinctive style. Moura continues to push the frontiers of blues music, leaving an unforgettable impact on the hearts of those who listen with her soul-stirring guitar solos, powerful vocals, and alluring stage presence.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has Blues and Rock music influenced your views of the world? What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your music?

Music isn't something we choose to do; it’s something we need to do. That’s how I feel. It’s as if I have to make music, no matter what. My driving force is this inner necessity—it’s like the music is trapped inside me, and I have to let it out.

From a very young age, I listened to rock, and rock led me to the blues. I grew up listening to bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and The Rolling Stones, which eventually introduced me to artists like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. That opened the door to discovering legends like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Lightnin’ Hopkins. The deeper I delved, the more captivated I became. What fascinates me about the blues is its sophistication—it seems so simple, but it’s incredibly profound.

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

When we start out artistically, in my case singing, it’s 100% soul, but there’s no technique. Over time, as you keep doing your thing, you feel the need to develop technique so you can express through your art what you want to say, communicate, and convey what you want to show or make others feel. That’s where study comes in. The soul is the root of the tree, but the trunk is intensive and continuous technical improvement.

My music is constantly evolving, just like the world is always in motion. At the moment, I describe my sound as "Contemporary Blues." I’ve been revisiting the works of old blues artists and bringing them into a more contemporary version, shaped in my own way. Right now, my sound leans toward a heavier style, but I never let go of the roots of Mississippi Blues.                                 (Nanda Moura, Brazil 2024 / Photo © by André Velozo)

“Discipline. Discipline. Discipline. Inspiration and talent are the foundation, but without discipline, you won’t get far. Studying, practicing, doing what needs to be done even when you don’t feel like it.”

What moment changed your life the most? What's been the highlights in your life and career so far?

I can’t point to a single moment that changed my life, but there have been several moments in my career that really stood out. One of them was the first big festival I played in, in São Paulo, in front of around 10,000 people. Another incredible moment was performing at the Rio Montreux Jazz Festival because Montreux is a major goal in my career, and I know that it was a step toward the Montreux Festival itself. And another significant moment was the Blues Roots Festival, where I performed in September in France. It was what I call a perfect show—the technique team was spot on, my voice was great, the band was tight, the audience was amazing, and that’s when the magic happens, when everything aligns.

Why do you think that Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Brazil?

Blues is universal! There will always be followers in Brazil, France, Mexico, xxx—wherever you go. Blues is an eternal, universal language. The very essence of blues keeps its followers by regenerating, rebuilding, reinventing itself, and continuing to capture the ears and souls of those who listen. The proof of this is that many musical genres come and go over time, but blues is the root of it all, and it endures.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future?

Music evolves, devolves, changes its face, changes its concept... I consider myself a person of my time. I don’t like saying that things were better in the past and worse today. I don’t think that’s true. I believe we have outstanding artists today, just as we had a century ago, who, even though they walk paths paved by the old bluesmen, are still pushing things forward. There has always been good music and bad music, and I don’t make much of a distinction between "better" eras.

One fear I have is related to AI. How it could affect not the creative side, but the market side. We live off this, we are professionals, and so I worry about how it might impact our industry. I believe AI will never surpass the creative aspect, but it’s another player in the market that we have to compete with, and that concerns me.

About my hopes, I can talk about my career. I imagine every artist has their aspirations and main goals. One of my big medium-term goals is to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival. When I get there, I’ll know I’m on the right path. And I will.

“Music, like any art form, is fundamental. It’s a basic need. Art—in my case, music, blues—is essential for ideas to be not only spread but also more easily absorbed by as many people as possible. The power of music, and specifically blues, lies in its ability to convey ideas, information, feelings, and sensations to a wide audience, helping us achieve what the world needs most today: enabling people to communicate through a universal language.“ (Nanda Moura, Blues Roots Festival 2024 / Photo © by Patrick Martimeau)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Discipline. Discipline. Discipline. Inspiration and talent are the foundation, but without discipline, you won’t get far. Studying, practicing, doing what needs to be done even when you don’t feel like it. Music has a whole business side behind it that needs to be managed, and all of that requires discipline. So, the biggest lesson I learn every day is: talent and inspiration are crucial, but without discipline, you won’t get anywhere.

What does it mean to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

I don’t make that distinction between men and women; I focus on musical quality. I don’t see music as a competition. There’s a market we need to reach, but artistically, I don’t see gender distinctions. It may have been a "man's world" in James Brown’s time, but nowadays, it belongs to all of us.

Why is it important to preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

It’s important because it’s high-quality music, a style that communicates very effectively with a lot of people. As I mentioned, blues is a universal language, so the biggest importance I see in continuing down this path is the ability to connect with a wide audience. Blues speaks any language, expresses any feeling, so its ease of communication across the world is crucial.

Music, like any art form, is fundamental. It’s a basic need. Art—in my case, music, blues—is essential for ideas to be not only spread but also more easily absorbed by as many people as possible. The power of music, and specifically blues, lies in its ability to convey ideas, information, feelings, and sensations to a wide audience, helping us achieve what the world needs most today: enabling people to communicate through a universal language.

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(Nanda Moura, Brazil 2024 / Photo © by André Velozo)