Cristina Afonso was born in Paris in 1970. Singing and playing music since she can remember, she was introduced to American music through her brother's record collection. She was especially influenced by singer-composer Stevie Wonder. She started playing organ by ear at the age of 6, attended the Faro Conservatory from 1982 to 1986 and from 1991 to 1993, including piano studies. Then she studied at the Conservatory of Lisbon from 1994 to 1999.

Her most fruitful progress on the piano was an inspiring year spent studying with her teacher Angelo Correia. She applied her newly acquired knowledge of Braille musigraphy. In that time she had her own Jazz trio. During the next five years she completed studies at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, earning a degree in Musical Science.

On her return to Faro in 2004, she started working with the members of her present quintet. With this group she is releasing a CD entitled "Overjoyed".

THE CRISTINA AFONSO BAND

The group comprises five fine Algarve based musicians:

Cristina Afonso - Vocals;

James Mellor - Piano and Keyboards;

Luuk Meulema - Guitar and Vocals;

David Gausden - Double-bass and Electric Bass;

Clive Pracy - Drums and Percussion.