RITA REYS

Europe’s First Lady of Jazz’ at the intimate ambience of the Bimhuis, those are the right ingredients for an unforgettable evening. Rita Reys, who celebrated her 60 years stage career in 2003, still embodies the absolute height of vocal jazz with her fabulous phrasing and swing and the still growing intensity with which she puts her heart and soul into lyrics and music. Although she made beautiful albums with repertoire of Michel Legrand, Burt Bacharach and Antonio Carlos Jobim, she is at her best when she gives new meaning to the classic songs from the Great American Songbook, with a moving mixture of bravura and emotion.