Although singer / pianist Heleen Schuttevaer writes all her own songs, they still sound as if they have been part of the American Songbook for years. Schuttevaer, who, depending on the line-up, is also part of Three Times, Four Times or Five Times A Lady writes with the greatest of ease compositions that would thrive in a smoky jazz club in the 1950s or 1960s. As a singer she can count Peggy Lee
… and Carmen McCrea among her greatest sources of inspiration. As a pianist she has learned a lot from the passion of Monty Alexander, the bossa nova of Jobim, the energy of Art Blakey, the groove of Less McCann and the Latin rhythms of Sergio Mendes. In 2002 she started a number of evenings under the name Club Jazz in Cultural Center 't Hoogt in her hometown Utrecht, where she invited established names and fresh talent every month. The result of these evenings can be heard on the CD of the same name, on which Schuttevaer profiles himself as an artist who manages to keep the soul of classic soul jazz exactly in the right place. (AD)more
