Josee Koning

Dutch singer Josee Koning has always had a passion for Brazilian music, and is well known for her interpretation of 'Música Popular Brasileira'. Josee has been the leading lady of the legendary Brazilian fusion group Batida since she started this band in 1980. Batida recorded three albums, toured internationally and played the North Sea Jazz Festival. In 1995, Josee released her first solo-album Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim, recorded in Los Angeles, and produced and arranged by Dori Caymmi. The CD was internationally recognized: ..Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim is a CD on the level of the master himself... (O Globo - Rio de Janeiro, September 1996); .... songs like Corcovado and Chovenda na Roseira are powerfully seductive, while others are delightfully reminiscent of Bossa..s best offerings...(The Brazilian Music Review, September 1996).

Dori Caymmi invited Josee Koning to join him in a series of concerts in April 1996 in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo The Brazilians were impressed by Josee's interpretation of ..their.. music: "Dutch Josee Koning conquered a huge crowd with her ode to Tom Jobim; with charm and in fluent Portuguese". (O Globo, April 1996); ..The first and warm-hearted applause was for Josee Koning, for whom Dori Caymmi produced the wonderful CD Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim... (Jornal do Brasil, April 1996). In October 1998, Josee recorded her second solo-album entitled 'Dois Mundos' / Two Worlds. It was again produced and arranged by Dori Caymmi. The recordings were set in Holland, and Josee was accompanied by her band 'Grupo'.

In addition, the Brazilian singer/composer Ivan Lins came over to join Josee in singing some of his famous songs. Josee's third solo-CD 'Recorded in Rio' has been recorded in the famous Discover Studio in Rio de Janeiro. It features Ivan Lins, drummer Teo Lima and accordion wizard Sivuca as well. The album was arranged and produced by the Uruguayan guitar virtuoso Leonardo Amuedo. In addition it contains two Dutch tunes, sung in Portuguese and with wonderful Brazilian arrangements: 'Silêncio em Amsterdam' and 'Sem Você'. And 'Recorded in Rio' again includes various songs by Ivan Lins, like 'Quando voce nao vem', a compelling duet by Josee and Ivan. Josee's latest album is sung is Dutch.

It's a tribute to Dutch poet Lennaert Nijgh, for 12 years Josee's husband. The album was recorded in Rio de Janeiro and again produced by Leonardo Amuedo. The Dutch songs have a strong Brazilian feel. Josee studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory and gained more in-depth knowledge of the Brazilian music and culture, studying in Rio de Janeiro. She teaches Brazilian music at the conservatories of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. In october 2007 Josee launched her fifth solo album 'Bem Brasileiro'.

It was recorded in both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and produced by Rodolfo Stroeter. To celebrate this release Josee toured in Holland with Nosso Trio (Nelson Faria, Ney Conceição and Kiko Freitas) DISCOGRAPHY Solo * Bem Brasileiro [Coast to Coast, 2007] * Verdronken Vlinder [Artist&Company, 2005] * Recorded in Rio [Brigadoon Vocal|Sony Music, 2003] * Dois Mundos [Challenge, 1999 - The Netherlands | Seven Music, 2002 - Brazil] * Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim [Columbia, 1995] with Batida * Batida Live in Caprera, Dvd, [Batida productions, 2007] * Tudo Bem [Polydor, 1992] * Terra do Sul [Timeless, 1987] * Batida [Timeless, 1983]