Vasco Cordeiro

Vasco Cordeiro was born in the civil parish of Covoada, deannexed from the neighboring parish of Relva, in the flanks of the Serra Devassa, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) northwest of Ponta Delgada. He was born to a middle-class farming family, the youngest of three sons of Luís and Lourdes Cordeiro. He was in the Associação de Escoteiros de Portugal (Scouting Association of Portugal) and the local choir, who sang throughout the island. In addition to music, after school Cordeiro was active in theatre and literature: his mother was an author of dramas and comedies, and he and his friends would represent these roles throughout the island, such as Tradição and Sogra. He continued his interest in music, even as he studied law in the Faculty of Law, at the University of Coimbra, where he became part of the Grupo de Fados de Coimbra Alta Medina (Alta Medina Fado Group of Coimbra). He interpreted the Balada da Despedida during the annual Queima das Fitas (1990–1995). He returned to the Azores in 1995, and began to practice law, while at the same time beginning his role in the Juventude Socialista (Socialist Youth). He campaigned door-to-door in 1996, where he quickly built an empathy with the people.