Dutch singer Josee Koning: leading lady in Brazilian music

Dutch singer Josee Koning has built an extraordinary career bridging Dutch and Brazilian music. She has collaborated with the world’s finest musicians, and is continuously exploring new ways to express her love for bossa nova and beyond. Josee worked with some of Brazil’s most renowned musicians, like Ivan Lins, Dori Caymmi, and João Bosco. Her album Doce Presença (2024) is another milestone in her inspiring journey.
Jazz has always been the foundation of Josees artristry, shaping her phrasing, timing, and her search for freedom and improvisation. During a stay in Rio de Janeiro she discovers Brazilian music. Since then and bossa nova is an inseparable part of her identity as a singer.

A graduate of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Josee combined her performing career with teaching, serving as a vocal teacher in Brazilian music at the conservatories of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim (1995) –Start of a solo career

Josee’s solo career takes off in 1995 with her debut album, Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. When she meets Jobim in Rio de Janeiro in 1993, he personally invites her to record an album together. Sadly, before they can start recording, Jobim passes in 1994.
Determined to honor his legacy, Josee records Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim with Jobim’s close friend Dori Caymmi in Los Angeles.
In April 1996, Dori Caymmi invites Josee to perform with him, his father Dorival, his sister Nana and singer Gal Costa at the Heineken Festival in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Dois Mundos (1998) – First collaboration with Ivan Lins

Dori Caymmi comes to the Netherlands in October 1998 to produce and arrange Josee’s second solo album, Dois Mundos. Brazilian singer-songwriter Ivan Lins participates, marking their first collaboration. The album features several duets of Josee and Ivan, and is released in the Netherlands and Brazil.
One of the album’s tracks, Coração Vagabundo, is featured in the Brazilian telenovela Seus Olhos, aired by Brazilian broadcaster SBT.

Recorded in Rio (2004) – A stronger bond with Ivan Lins

Playing a leading role in her third album, Recorded in Rio, Ivan Lins continues to be an integral part of Josee’s musical journey. The album is produced by renowned Uruguayan guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, and recorded in Rio de Janeiro. It features top Brazilian musicians, like drummer Teo Lima and accordion wizard Sivuca.

Verdronken Vlinder (2005) – Tribute to Lennart Nijgh

In 2005, Josee records again in Rio de Janeiro, this time in her native language, Dutch. Verdronken Vlinder (Drowned Butterfly), is a tribute to her first husband, Lennaert Nijgh, a famous Dutch songwriter (1945-2002).
The album blends Dutch lyrics with Brazilian harmonies and rhythms, resulting in a fresh and emotional musical experience. It is highly successful in the Netherlands and demonstrates how music can transcend language barriers when performed with sincerity and soul.

Bem Brasileiro (2006) – Edison Award nominations

The album Bem Brasileiro is recorded in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with Nosso Trio, a group of extraordinary Brazilian musicians: guitarist Nelson Faria, bassist Ney Conceição and drummer Kiko Freitas. Moreover it features legendary Brazilian singer-songwriter João Bosco.
After the album’s release, Josee tours with Nosso Trio in Brazil and the Netherlands.
Bem Brasileiro is nominated twice for an Edison Award, a major recognition in the Netherlands.

Who’s the Bossa? (2008–2014) – Bossa nova meets chamber music

Josee presents Tribute to 50 Years of Bossa Nova in Juli 2008 in the Netherlands. She invited some of the best international musicians, including Nosso Trio, Swiss master cellist Daniel Pezzotti, and Dutch pianist Hans Vroomans.
After this show, the musicians join in the group Who’s the Bossa?. They perform in The Netherlands and Switzerland, captivating audiences with their enchanting music, a mixture of bossa nova and chamber music.
In 2014, the group releases The Chamber Music Project. an acoustic album that seamlessly blends bossa nova and classical music. The album is recorded without bass and drums and includes Brazilian originals and new compositions.

Doce Presença (2024) – A true bossa nova atmosphere

In April 2024, Josee releases Doce Presença, produced by Ivan Lins. The album is a result of many years of friendship between Josee and Ivan, and also features pianist Hans Vroomans and guitarist Leonardo Amuedo. Ivan Lins describes Doce Presença as “delicate, intimate, melodic, soft, sweet, and peaceful, with a bossa nova atmosphere”.

Quotes about Josee

“Josee Koning’s voice blended wonderfully with the delicate accompaniment of guitarist Leonardo Amuedo” – Jazzflits magazine
“Sensual, smooth, and perfect in any register. Agile as a tropical nightingale and passionately musical” – Jean Paul Heck in De Stem newspaper
“Josee Koning dazzled the audience with her wonderful voice and impeccable performance” – Orchestra Jazz Sinfonica and Josee Koning at the Ibirapuera Auditorium
“The first and warmest applause from the audience was directed at Josee Koning due to the beauty and range of her voice” – Braulio Neto, Jornal do Brasil
“There is something in Koning’s voice that evokes an ardent passion when she’s singing romantic tunes. She proves she can swing and have fun in up-tempo tunes”- Musicabrasileira.org
“Prior to Gal Costa, Dutch singer Josee Koning conquered the audience of a good thousand people with her charm and fluent Portuguese”, “Gal Costa and Dutch singer Josee Koning seduced Canecão”, “Dorival Caymmi, Gal Costa, and Josee Koning: highlights of the evening” – Mauro Ferreira, Jornal O Globo
“Proving total control of her material, Koning is superb in Doce Presença. Her performance here is sublime” – musicabrasileira.org

Josee Koning – Key Themes & Achievements

Deep Connection to Brazilian Music – Lifelong passion for Brazilian rhythms, collaborating with amongst others, Tom Jobim, Ivan Lins, Dori Caymmi and João Bosco.
Bridging Cultures – Successfully blending Brazilian and Dutch influences in her music.
Award Nominations – Bem Brasileiro received two Edison Award nominations.
International Recognition – Performed at major festivals and venues, including North Sea Jazz Festival and Heineken Festival in Brazil.
Innovative Musical Projects – Led pioneering projects like Batida and Who’s the Bossa?, blending Brazilian music, jazz and chamber music.

Discography

2024 Doce Presença – produced by Ivan Lins, featuring Leonardo Amuedo (guitar)
2022 Testament – Lennaert Nijgh 75 jaar (in Dutch)
2018 Verloren en Gevonden (in Dutch)
2014 The Chamber Music Project – Who’s the Bossa? – featuring Hans Vroomans (piano), Nelson Faria (guitar) and Daniël Pezzotti (cello)
2007 Bem Brasileiro – featuring João Bosco and Lilian Viera
2007 Batida live in Caprera, DVD live show
2005 Verdronken Vlinder (in Dutch)
2003 Recorded in Rio – produced by Leonardo Amuedo
1999 Dois Mundos – featuring Ivan Lins, produced by Dori Caymmi
1997 Josee Koning e Grupo live at Nick Vollebregt’s Jazzcafé
1995 Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim – produced by Dory Caymmi
1992 Tudo Bem – with the band Batida
1987 Terra do Sul – with the band Batida
1983 Batida – with the band Batida