Born in the southern Portuguese town of Beja in 1975, António Zambujo has matured into a major voice in a new generation of fado singers. After early clarinet studies, he began singing following success in a regional fado contest at age sixteen. Zambujo turned professional once the renowned composer Mario Pacheco invited him to sing in Lisbon s Clube de Fado. But what propelled him into the national limelight was his role as Francisco da Cruz in the musical Amalia, based on the life of Amalia Rodrigues. Guia is Zambujo s fourth album, following 2007 s Outro Sentido, which was a Songlines Top of the World selection. His music merges cante Alentejano (a unique traditional style from the Alentejano region) and fado a daring fusion the singer has pulled off with aplomb.