First Friday KabuJazz: Celebrating Cape Verdean Independence Through Music

Start: Friday, September 5, 2025 5:00PM
End: Friday, September 5, 2025 8:30PM

The New Bedford Whaling Museum invites the community to continue the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence with a special First Friday event on September 5th, featuring the KabuJazz Ensemble led by acclaimed vocalist Candida Rose Baptista with musical direction by J. L. Santos Spencer. This powerful evening of culture and music blends Cabo Verdean rhythms with the soul of American jazz. Through rich vocals, compelling instrumentation, and infectious rhythms, the KabuJazz Ensemble will take audiences on an unforgettable journey honoring the legacy and resilience of the Cabo Verdean people. The program complements two of the Museum’s current exhibitions, Morabeza and Claridade, which tell the story of Cape Verdean Americans in New Bedford and beyond through contemporary art, oral histories, photographs, and personal narratives. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., inviting guests to explore the exhibits in the Museum’s galleries before the live performance at 6:00 p.m. The performance will be followed by a celebratory reception.