Fleurine is an important jazz singer who was originally from Holland. She attended the Amsterdam School of High Arts Music Conservatory during 1990-1994. A versatile performer, she toured Cuba with trumpeter
Roy Hargrove in 1996, recorded a ballad-oriented duo album with pianist
Brad Mehldau, recorded her lyrics to songs by top jazz musicians (including those of
Thelonious Monk,
Joshua Redman, and
Tom Harrell) in 1995, and moved to the United States in 1998. One of her albums, Fire, features her turning pop-oriented material into jazz.
San Francisco differs from her previous work in that it is an exploration of Brazilian music, including the songs of
Chico Buarque,
Chico Pinheiro, and
Francis Hime plus a lone number ("Memories in Black and White") from
Antonio Carlos Jobim. Some of the selections feature her English lyrics though she also sings in Portuguese.
Fleurine has a soft and haunting voice that is well suited to this material. Her backup group, which never includes more than four musicians and has a duet number apiece with guitarist
Freddie Bryant and pianist
Brad Mehldau, is quite sympathetic with
Chris Potter's three appearances (each on a different instrument) adding to the date's variety.
San Francisco is a program of subtle music that is quietly infectious. ~ Scott Yanow