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<\/a>Fall River musician Josh Pereira won Best Rock Performance at the 2026 International Portuguese Music Awards.His winning song, “Saudade,” was written in memory of his late musical partner, Manel “The Island Man.”Pereira, who had not released solo music in nearly a decade, is now motivated to complete a new album.The awards ceremony honored artists of Portuguese descent from around the world at the Providence Performing Arts Center.<\/p>\nFall River artist Josh Pereira<\/a> won the Best Rock Performance Award for his song \u201cSaudade\u201d at the 2026 International Portuguese Music Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n The televised event honoring artists of Portuguese descent from around the world for their musical achievements was held April 25 at the Providence Performing Arts Center.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so happy. It feels amazing, it really does,\u201d Pereira told O Jornal with a big smile, shortly after receiving the IPMA trophy.<\/p>\n Hotel Papel: SouthCoast artists to showcase work inspired by residency in the Azores<\/a><\/p>\n His song \u201cSaudade\u201d was written in memory of his musical partner and friend Manel \u201cThe Island Man.\u201d<\/a> The track carries a balance of ache and comfort, shaped by loss and shared memories.<\/p>\n \u201cYou put so much work into a song, a piece of art, but to do it with Manel in mind and to be actually nominated was an honor\u2026 and to win, it\u2019s awesome,\u201d said Pereira, who is known for his soulful, rugged powerful voice.<\/p>\n Prior to \u201cSaudade,\u201d it had been almost a decade since Pereira had released solo music.<\/p>\n Shaped by a lifelong connection to his family\u2019s roots in Sa\u0303o Miguel, Azores, Pereira said he could not be more excited to receive an IPMA award.<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to be here and be a part of this,\u201d said Pereira, who happened to be the “New Talent” runner-up at the very first IPMA in 2013. \u201cI am happy for Manel. I hope he is smiling down on us.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked if he already knew where he would be placing the trophy, Pereira said he had the perfect spot for it.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, right next to the one he won,\u201d he said. \u201cManel won an IPMA. When he passed, his wife and family were so nice to give it to me. So, it\u2019s going next to where it belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n Boston Portuguese Festival: No festival in 2026. \u2018Fado & Wine’ event instead<\/a><\/p>\n Pereira said he intends to continue creating independently, writing songs grounded in family, faith and the people who\u2019ve shaped him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a couple of other songs written, and I am working on an album that will come out when it\u2019s done,\u201d he said. \u201cI am certainly more motivated after tonight to make it happen for this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Now that he has found himself trying to establish once again his solo musical identity, he said it\u2019s hard to pinpoint a music genre that suits him best.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s interesting, one of the things that Manel and I shared was an eclectic library of music that influenced us,\u201d Pereira said. \u201cSo, I love everything from jazz and pop to rock and bossa nova. That makes things a little more difficult on the genre side because you can\u2019t really niche it down to one place. But, you know, honestly, I am in a place in my life where I just want to do music that I love and put it out there.\u201d<\/p>\n As a result, the new album is probably going to be \u201ca little flavor from here and a little flavor from there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something that people hopefully will listen to, enjoy and love\u2026 and will be able to hear different flavors from different genres,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Who were the other 2026 IPMA winners?<\/p>\n Portuguese TV personality Ricardo Farias<\/a> and “NCIS: Los Angeles” alum Daniela Ruah<\/a> hosted the event, which featured a powerhouse lineup of performers, including\u00a0Calema<\/a>,\u00a0D.A.M.A<\/a>,\u00a0Richie Campbell<\/a>,\u00a0Assol Garcia<\/a>,\u00a0Ne\u0301manus<\/a>, and\u00a0Nelson Sobral<\/a>.<\/p>\n Besides Pereira, the 2026 IPMA winners were:<\/p>\n MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLeaving You Behind\u201d – Nuno, directed by Sebastian Crayn (Romania)<\/p>\n INSTRUMENTAL<\/p>\n \u201cFragmento Lunar (ft. Joa\u0303o Frade, E\u0301rica Santiago & Samuel Navarro)\u201d – Ensemble 17 (Portugal)<\/p>\n WORLD MUSIC<\/p>\n \u201cMoleirinha (ft. Isabel Silvestre and Grupo De Cantares De Manhouce)\u201d – Karetus, Conan Osi\u0301ris and Ju\u0301lio Pereira (Portugal)<\/p>\n TRADITIONAL<\/p>\n \u201cAmor Sentido (ft. Minhotos Marotos)\u201d – Cla\u0301udia Martins (Portugal)<\/p>\n FADO<\/p>\n \u201cO Meu Nome e\u0301 Ningue\u0301m\u201d – Mariana Arroja (U.S.)<\/p>\n RAP\/HIP-HOP\/DANCE<\/p>\n \u201c2 AM Somewhere (ft. charlieonnafriday)\u201d – Bankrol Hayden (U.S.)<\/p>\n POP<\/p>\n \u201chard for you\u201d – Mackenzie Arromba (Canada)<\/p>\n MU\u0301SICA POPULAR (PORTUGUESE POPULAR MUSIC)<\/p>\n \u201cHoje Eu Vou\u201d – Victor Rodrigues (Portugal)<\/p>\n SONG OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n \u201cVisita Inesperada (ft. Jota.pe\u0302)\u201d – Teresinha Landeiro, written by Teresinha Landeiro (Portugal)<\/p>\n PEOPLE\u2019S CHOICE<\/p>\n Ce\u0301lio (France)<\/p>\n NEW TALENT<\/p>\n Ben Rodrigues (South Africa)<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/89822490007-josh-pereira-rock-winner.jpg\")
![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/89822338007-alvaro-covoes-josh-pereira.jpg\")
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![\"Calema](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/89822311007-calema-perform-2.jpg\")