#760 - Ilo Ferreira

The Ilo Ferreira Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

What you’re about to hear is an audio artifact, recorded in Boston, Massachusetts for a radio broadcast in 2009. Paul E. Leslie was the first American radio guy to interview Ilo Ferreira, a singer-songwriter of immense talent. So, Ilo Ferreira is from a group of islands off of the coast of West Africa that form the nation of Cape Verde. Cape Verde has a strong Portuguese influence and a vibrant music scene.

It was in 2006 when singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and friends were in Cape Verde hoping to meet the legendary singer of Morna, Cesaria Evora. Joining him on this adventure was Chris Blackwell of Island Records who made Bob Marley world famous, Tom Freston of MTV renown and author and entertainment executive Bill Flanagan.

One night at a Cape Verde restaurant, Ilo Ferreira got on the small stage to sing and play his guitar. Buffett and his friends became enamored with the young singer, not just his voice, but also by his original songs. On

September 8, 2007 Jimmy Buffett welcomed Ilo Ferreira to perform as special guest at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. The thousands in attendance responded immediately to Ilo. They next year, Ilo began recording songs produced by Tony Brown and Mac McAnally.

These days Ilo Ferreira is still performing in the United States and elsewhere. He joined Paul to talk about his life and his debut EP entitled "Ilo" released on Mailboat Records.

This interview was recorded on June 26, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts - the city where Ilo was first heard by an American audience. You will hear Ilo Ferreira's incredible story. Ilo proves great music transcends languages, nationalities and age.

If you can help keep The Paul Leslie Hour going - please do so. Just go to www.thepaulleslie.com/support And now : At long last, this interview sees the light of day! The Paul Leslie Hour is a talk show dedicated to “Helping People Tell Their Stories.” Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.