In 1994 Maria João signed a contract with the prestigious jazz label Verve. In that same year she released another great album, Danças, featuring her loyal and long-time music companion and friend Mário Laginha. This one was produced by German brothers Reinhard and Wolf-Dieter Karwatky (who produced all of Maria João's Verve records).

In 1995 she was the guest singer on an album by António Pinho Vargas also featuring saxophonist José Nogueira.