One of the most original singers likely to be heard here this year is Portugal's Maria Joao, whose art embraces everything from jazz and her Portuguese folk roots, to the sounds of Latin America, India and Africa.
An inspired and natural eclectic, she has worked with Ralph Towner, Trilok Gurtu, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Gilberto Gil and Dino Saluzzi in the past decade, during which she was signed up by a major record label, Verve.
In a concert organised by the Improvised Music Company in association with the Portuguese embassy and Instituto Camoes, she will sing in Temple Bar Music Centre today, accompanied by her musical alter ego, pianist Mario Laginha, along with percussionist Helge Norbakken. There is, frankly, no one quite like her.