Beautiful Sounds of Solitude GARDENIA named after a flower, who invites you to visit Cape Verde Islands, and escape to a distant beckoning place, where poetry overflows. GARDENIA a brilliant soul whose melodies call to mind beautiful scenes, nostalgic images, delicate feelings, and the sweet anguish of having to depart while longing to stay. Born in the city of Praia, Santiago, Cape Verde Islands, and yet captured by the melodies of the island Brava, she pursued the traditional style of singing "morna" from that island and beyond. In 1986, she brought back to life the sound of the beautiful mornas written by the famous troubadour and composer, Eugenio Tavares, in her self-titled album. Her debut record was a success making the artist extremely popular opening the Portuguese market to the Cape Verdean music.