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Rabasa plays a variety of genres of the warm Cape Verdean music. The alluring and distinctive vocal sounds of Cape Verdean music, which can be moving one moment and swinging the next, are accompanied by acoustic instruments such as guitar, cavaquinho, diatonic accordion and percussion and drum.
The music of Rabasa is deeply rooted in the musical traditions of Cape Verde. Over the years Rabasa has developed its own sound based on these traditions. The repertoire takes the listener on a tour of the different genres of Cape Verdean music, from the melancholy morna to the steamy funana.
The brothers João, Jorge, Tó and Angelito Ortet make up the group’s core. They started Rabasa in 1998. Singer Terezinha Fernandes and Rotterdam-born percussionist Hans de Lange joined soon after. Together with the drummer Nataniël (Tati) Gomes, they form Rabasa’s line up since 2022. Following Tati’s sudden death in 2023, Rabasa enlisted , Rabasa enlisted original member Mike Shakison, who rejoined as their new drummer.
Over the years, Rabasa’s members have remained deeply connected to Cape Verdean musical roots. Mike and Hans began their musical journeys alongside Américo Brito and collaborated on projects with renowned artists such as Ildo Lobo, Luis Morais, and Manuel d’ Novas. Hans has also performed with notable musicians, including Splash, Gil Semedo, Bana and Djozinha.
Now the band is busy with new material again. In July 2024 their new digital single Homi Di Povu was released, and on 6 February 2025 their latest single Petu Abertu came out. The band is currently working on a new record.
