Deolinda is a phenomenal new fusion band from Lisbon that is gaining international recognition and acclaim for their fresh, simple, upbeat melodies. This musical project, which draws its inspiration from the traditional Portuguese fado, was created in 2006 by vocalist Ana Bacalhau, brother’s Pedro da Silva Martins, and Luis Jose Martins who both play classical guitar, and double bass player Ze Pedro Leitao.

The band’s members come from various musical backgrounds, combining jazz, classical music, their native music and some familiar modern sounds in their work. They fuse this unlikely blend to bring renewed life to the tradition of fado. The band’s purpose is not merely to entertain, but to spark in Portuguese youth scattered around the world an interest in their heritage, and to reassemble the remnants of national pride that link the Portuguese community worldwide.

Alejandro Sabre, award winning composer, pianist, and instructor at Modesto Junior College, first heard Deolinda live during the summer of 2009 while visiting the Azores on the island of Pico.

“Immediately after hearing Deolinda, I was determined to bring them to the Central Valley,” said Dr. Sabre.

Dr. Sabre has been a board member of the Gallo Center for the Arts for six years and is responsible for bringing Deolinda to perform there.

“The Gallo Center was created to provide a forum for all people to gather and share their cultures and to celebrate and appreciate their differences, while learning. This ultimately helps to educate and promote understanding. I’m excited that the Portuguese community in the Central Valley will be able to enjoy

Deolinda, especially the younger crowd. It is unfortunate that they have little knowledge of their heritage. You can’t get a sense of who you are, if you don’t know where you came from.”

Deolinda captivates audiences of all ages with their vivacious, whimsical, spontaneous music and performances. Much of their music is influenced by the lives of the residents of Lisbon, centering around small, simple, at times humorous, everyday life occurrences.

After selling 20,000 copies of their first album, “Concao ao Lado (The Song Next Door),” within 22 weeks of its release in 2008, Deolinda has continued to grow in popularity. They may gain several hundred new fans in the Modesto area next weekend.　

Deolinda will play in the Foster Theater of the Gallo Center for the Arts, on September 26 at 7p.m. Ticket prices start at $15. For more information contact the Gallo Center: 209-338-2100, or got to www.Galloarts.org.