On Sunday, November 19, singer Sarah Tavares passed away at the age of 45, as initially reported by SIC Notícias and later confirmed by Observador. Tavares had faced health challenges since being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009, leading to an eight-year hiatus and subsequent complications in recent months.
Tavares rose to prominence in 1994 as a participant in the talent show “Chuva de Estrelas,” where she imitated Whitney Houston and emerged as the winner of the first edition produced by SIC. The following year, she secured the Song Festival Award with “Chama Pelo Nome” and represented Portugal at Eurovision, securing an eighth-place finish. Throughout her career, Tavares carved out a unique space in Portuguese music, blending pop and urban music structures with her African roots. Her albums, including “Sarah Tavares” and “Scream!” (1996), “Mi Ma Bô” (1999), “Balance” (2005), “Shinti” (2009), and “Fitxadu” (2017), showcased her distinctive sound and earned her a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Portuguese Roots Music Album.
In 2023, Tavares had been unveiling new songs in anticipation of a forthcoming album, with tracks like “Grog Debilha,” “Paid,” and “Presença que se Curtido.” Her socially conscious lyrics addressed themes of tolerance, racism, and sexual freedom, reflecting a sense of community and purpose in her music.
News of Tavares’s death prompted immediate reactions from fellow musicians and public figures. The Voice of Portugal paid tribute to her, with mentors Antonio Zambujo, Sara Correia, Fernando Daniel, and Sonia Tavares opening the show with a rendition of “Chama Pelo Nome.” Catarina Furtado, who co-wrote a song with Tavares for “Chuva de Estrelas,” expressed deep sorrow on Instagram, and the President of the Republic and the President of Cape Verde also acknowledged Tavares’s significant contributions to music and her enduring impact.
Source: https://www.brytfmonline.com/singer-and-songwriter-sarah-tavares-has-died-at-the-age-of-45/
