Dutch singer Josee Koning has had an international career in Brazilian music for over 30 years, recording albums with famous Brazilian artists like Ivan Lins, Dori Caymmi, and João Bosco. She co-founded the Brazilian fusion group Batida in 1980. More recently, she formed the group Who's the Bossa? in 2008 to perform Brazilian chamber music with guitarist Nelson Faria, cellist Daniel Pezzotti, and pianist Hans Vroomans. Their 2014 debut album The Chamber Music Project featuring bossa nova classics and originals received praise from Ivan Lins.

1. Dutch singer Josee Koning is Holland’s leading lady in Brazilian music.
She has an international career working with the best musicians from Brasil like Ivan Lins,
Dori Caymmi, João Bosco, Nelson Faria and many others.
Josee has always had a passion for Brazilian music. She was the co-founder of the
legendary Brazilian fusion group Batida in 1980. Batida recorded three albums, toured
internationally and played at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
Josee Koning's cooperation with Brazilian musicians started off in 1995 with her first solo-
album Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was recorded in Los Angeles, and produced
and arranged by the famous Brazilian Dori Caymmi who also worked with stars like Sarah
Vaughn, Herbie Hancock and Elis Regina. In April 1996 Josee even shared the stage with
Dori and his also famous musical family in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
In October 1998 Dori Caymmi came to Holland to record Josee's second solo-album
entitled Dois Mundos / Two Worlds. In addition he brought his friend, the famous
Brazilian singer/composer Ivan Lins to sing some of his songs with Josee. The album was
successfully released in the Netherlands and Brazil. In 2004 the track Coração
Vagabundo was even used for the Brazilian telenovela Seus Olhos, broadcasted by SBT.
Ivan Lins has been participating in Josee's musical projects since. He had a leading role in
Josee's third album Recorded in Rio, that was recorded in the famous Discover Studio in
Rio de Janeiro. This album was arranged and produced by Uruguayan guitar virtuoso
Leonardo Amuedo, and featured drummer Teo Lima and accordion wizard Sivuca.
In 2005 Josee recorded another cd in Rio de Janeiro. This time she sung in her native
language, Dutch. The album is called 'Verdronken Vlinder' (drowned butterfly) and is a
tribute to her first husband, famous Dutch songwriter Lennaert Nijgh, that died in 2002.
The Dutch songs received a wonderful Brasilian treat and was very succesful in the
Netherlands. With this album Josee succeeded in blending beautiful Dutch lyrics with
sensitive Brazilian chords and rhythms. The result is a delightful album, that proves that
music is universal when it is performed by full-hearted super musicians
Josee's album Bem Brasileiro, was recorded in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with the
sublime musicians of Nosso Trio [Nelson Faria (guitar), Ney Conceição (bass) and Kiko
Freitas (drums)] and participation of the great João Bosco.
Nosso Trio also participated at her Dutch [!] album Verdronken Vlinder.
The album was nominated twice for a Dutch Edison award.
After releasing Bem Brasileiro, Josee toured in October 2007 the Netherlands with Nosso
Trio, João Bosco's band. In April 2008 she performed with Nosso Trio in Brazil and in July
she played with Nosso Trio at a Tribute to 50 years of Bossa Nova in the Netherlands. For
this project she also invited the fabulous Swiss cellist Daniel Pezzotti and Dutch piano
player Hans Vroomans.

2. 'Who's the Bossa?’
Who’s the Bossa? was born when Josee Koning invited Hans Vroomans, Daniel Pezzotti,
Nelson Faria, bassist Ney Conceição and drummer Kiko Freitas, to play at a Tribute to 50
Years of Bossa Nova in The Netherlands, July 2008. Since then Who’s the Bossa? has
played in various line-ups in Brazil, Switzerland and The Netherlands, always enchanting
their audience with their superb musical performance.
2015: Who’s the Bossa? stands for an unconventional, contemporary approach to
Brazilian music. Easily shifting from subtle swinging bossa nova to electrifying rhythms like
frevo, baião and samba, they play startling originals as well as known and unknown gems
of Brazilian music.
Who’s the Bossa? incorporates Josee Koning’s velvet timbre and refined phrasing, Hans
Vroomans’ beautiful solos and accompaniment on piano and Nelson Faria’s outstanding
jazzy Brazilian guitar playing. Daniel Pezzotti’s intense cello playing adds a smooth touch
to the exciting Brazilian rhythms.
In 2014 their first album ‘The Chamber Music Project’ was released. The approach to
Brazilian music is a little different: no bass, no drums. It’s Brazilian Chamber music with
some classics and some originals. the album was very well received both in Holland and
internationally.
The liner notes were written by Ivan Lins:
"On this debut CD, Who’s the Bossa? dives deeply into Brazilian music. Nelson Faria
(guitar), Hans Vroomans (piano) and Daniel Pezzotti (cello) play with mature refinement
and creativity, while Josee Koning performs beautifully, in impeccable Portuguese. Her
unique vocal timbre is sweeter and prettier than ever. Incredible what experience can do!
What a beautiful album! One of the most beautiful I’ve heard in the past 5 years. It should
be sent to the Grammy awards.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful."
Ivan Lins
Discography:
* The Chamber Music Project, Who’s the Bossa? (Music&Words, release October 2014)
* BosSAnook, duo with Gilbert Medam, recorded in Thailand, (Centara resorts, 2013)
* Bem Brasileiro, (Coast to Coast, 2007)
* Verdronken Vlinder, (Artist&Company, 2005)
* Recorded in Rio (Brigadoon Vocal|Sony Music, 2003)
* Dois Mundos (Challenge, 1999 – Holland; Seven Music, 2002 – Brazil)
* Josee Koning e Grupo, live at Nick Vollebregt’s café (1997 – Radio Netherlands)
* Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim (Columbia, 1995)
with Batida
* Live in Caprera, dvd van concert 2006 (2007)
* Tudo Bem (Polydor, 1992)
* Terra do Sul (Timeless, 1987)
* Batida (Timeless, 1983)