Flora Purim | Queen of Fusion
Flora Purim is a world renowned vocalist who has collaborated with legendary musicians such as Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Chick Corea Dizzy Gillespie and her husband Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira. She moved from Rio de Janeiro to New York in 1967 to flee the strict government of her country. In Brazil she had already collaborated with prolific multi instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal. He helped train her voice and encouraged to take her voice to new heights, not just singing pretty melodies but encompassing various sounds whether they were pretty or not.
When she arrived in New York City she was brought right to the middle of the jazz scene. She met Thelonious Monk at a jam session one night, which led her to meet all of the leading jazz musicians. As a vocalist she had the courage to sing on some of the most groundbreaking fusion albums such as Chick Corea’s Return to Forever and Light as a Feather. Purim describes how this collaboration started by stating,“On the early 70′s, Chick Corea asked me to listen to some songs after a gig with Miles. None of his songs had lyrics. He had sent his music to Ella, Carmen, Sarah and Nancy, and they all sent it back saying the music was nice, but they couldn’t take a risk to change their style from Bebop to that style of music called Fusion. So one day he asked me if I could come to his place and try to sing his new compositions. Then I took a chance and I went. “ Purim is a musical genius who was woman ahead of her time. Below are a few key tunes that feature Flora Purim’s serene and surrealist vocals. I hope you enjoy!
Compiled by Tamara Davidson