ainstream musicians communicate a message to listeners through their music. The messages are political, emotional or trite, but they are messages of feeling. It is rare to have someone deliver you to a place with their music, to transport you to the location that has inspired their music.

Cesaria Evora, the “”barefoot diva”” from the Cape Verde Islands, does just this with her lyrics.

Evora, by today’s standards, had a late start in the music industry. She did not begin recording until the age of 44, but today, the 61-year-old singer has multiple albums to her name and five Grammy nominations to brag about.

Her most recent album, Voz d’ Amor, is her ninth and she continues to maintain the signature melodic sound that has made her a global sensation.

Evora’s home, the volcanic Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa, serves as a setting for her music. Through it, she shares her culture and traditions with her listeners, with the traditional Capeverdean “”Mornas”” and “”Coladeiras.”” These poignant styles of music invoke Cape Verde’s Brazillian and Portugese colonial roots, incorporating jazz, blues and samba as well as Cuban and African rhythms.

The music serves as a foundation for Evora to build her vocals. She has been compared to Billy Holiday and Edith Pilaf, but in all regards Evora is herself. Her song “”Velocidade”” from Voz d’ Amor is a quintessential example of how Evora evokes the Islands with her songs.

On “”Velocidade,”” listeners will feel the sea breeze on their cheeks, the setting sun on their legs and hear the palm fronds blowing above their head. Listeners’ hips will sway to the sweet sound of the clarinet and you will be transported to the island of Sao Vincente.

Perhaps you will not understand Evora’s native lyrics, but the sensation is strong enough to help you embark on an auditory journey like no other.

To continue on the voyage of auditory discovery, don’t miss Evora’s performance on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Price Center Ballroom.