Paul Pena

Paul Pena (January 26, 1950 - October 1, 2005) was a multi-genre singer, pianist, and guitarist, who performed Mississippi Delta blues, jazz, flamenco, folk, rock and roll and Tuvan throat-singing.

Paul Pena (January 26, 1950 - October 1, 2005) was a multi-genre singer, pianist, and guitarist, who performed Mississippi Delta blues, jazz, flamenco, folk, rock and roll and Tuvan throat-singing.

Pena was born in Hyannis, Massachusetts. His grandparents were from the islands of Brava and Fogo in the Cape Verde islands off the western coast of Africa, and emigrated to the United States in 1919. Pena spoke Capeverdean Crioulo with his family while growing up. His grandfather Francisco Pena, and father Joaquim "Jack" Pena were both professional musicians, and taught Paul to play Cape Verdean music, including Morna. Pena performed professionally with his father, including a summer spent in Spain and Portugal, where he studied flamenco music.