Maria João

Maria João (born Maria João Monteiro Grancha June 27, 1956, Lisbon, Portugal) is a Portuguese jazz singer.

She is known for her vocal flexibility and improvisational skills. Although considered a jazz singer, she incorporates folk music, avant-garde, and electronica.

Her main musical partner is Portuguese pianist Mário Laginha. She has also worked with Aki Takase, Bobby McFerrin, David Linx, Dino Saluzzi, Gilberto Gil, Joe Zawinul, Kai Eckhardt, Lenine, Manu Katche, Ralph Towner, Trilok Gurtu, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and OGRE.

• Quinteto Maria João (1983)
• Cem Caminhos (1985)
• Conversa (1986)
• Looking for Love (1988)
• Alice (1990)
• Sol (1992)
• Danças (1994)
• Fábula (1996)
• Cor (1998)
• Lobos, Raposas e Coiotes (1999)
• Chorinho Feliz (2000)
• Mumadji (2001)
• Undercovers (2002)
• Tralha (2004)
• Cinco: Saxofour & Maria Joao (2005)
• João (2007)
• Chocolate (2008)
• Follow the Songlines (2010)
• Amoras e Framboesas (2011)
• A Different Porgy & Another Bess (2012)
• Electrodoméstico (2012
• Iridescente (2012)
• Plástico (2015)

Compilations

• Pensa Nisto! (1996) - Fidjo Magoado
• Etnocity/Underground Sound of Lisbon (2000) - Saris e Capolanas (remix) (MJML)
• Movimentos Perpétuos (2003)- Mãos Na Parede (MJML)

Collaborations

• Abbacadabra (1984)
• Júlio Pereira (1990)
• Júlio Pereira Tarde Quente (1994)
• António Pinho Vargas A Luz e a Escuridão (1995) with Maria João & José Nogueira
• Laurent Filipe (1995)
• Bom dia Benjamim (1995)
• Carlos Bica/Azul (1996)
• Cantigas de Amigos - São Macaio/A Garrafa (1998)
• Clã - Pois (1998)
• Dulce Pontes - Modinha das Saias (1999)
• Bana (1999)
• Joe Zawinul - "Faces & Places" (2002)
• Carinhoso - Ingénuo (2002)
• Simentera - Lua Cheia (2003)
• Pirilampo Mágico (with Mariza e Teresa Salgueiro) - "Faz a Magia Voar" (2003)
• DEP - Quem? (2004)
• Danças Ocultas (2004)
• Saxofour (2004)
• Blasted Mechanism - Avatara (track "Power On/Pink Hurricane") (2005)
• Saxofour (2005)
• José Peixoto (2006)
• Clã - Lua Partida Ao Meio (2006)
• Magma (2008) with Jan Gunnar Hoff
• Vera e os Seus Amigos - Papagaio Fofoca (2008)