Rita Reys
Rita Reys was long ago billed as "Europe's First Lady of Jazz." A legend overseas, Reys was one of the top jazz singers in Europe from the mid-'50s to the turn of the millennium. Born Maria Everdina Reys in Rotterdam, she began singing as a teenager. Reys won several song contests and in 1941, when she was 16, joined the Hawaiian Minstrels. In 1943 she became a member of her father's theater orchestra. Other early experiences included touring with Lex Van Spall, Ted Powder, and the Piet Van Dijk Orchestra. In 1945 she married drummer Wessel Ilcken, who introduced her to the postwar jazz scene. She worked with her husband's sextet for most of a decade. They were based in Stockholm for a time, where she recorded with the great baritonist Lars Gullin in 1953. In 1956 Reys recorded probably her most famous album, The Cool Voice of Rita Reys. Her backup band was Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. Reys and Ilcken spent a few months in the United States during 1956-1957. She had opportunities to sing not only with Blakey but Jimmy Smith, Chico Hamilton, Clark Terry, and Mat Mathews.
Back in Europe, tragedy struck in 1957 when a car accident resulted in the death of Wessel Ilcken. After some time, Reys continued her career. In 1960 she married pianist Pim Jacobs, working regularly with his combo up until his death in 1996. Along the way she performed with Zoot Sims, Oliver Nelson, the Dutch Swing College Band, and other notables. Reys, despite being influenced by Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Tormé, had her own approach to caressing ballads and swinging uptempo tunes. She celebrated her 80th birthday during 2004-2005, writing her memoirs (Rita Reys -- Lady Jazz) and having many special performances, including television specials and concerts all around the Netherlands. An excellent four-CD box set, The Rita Reys Story -- Songs of a Lifetime, sums up her musical legacy, dating from 1953-2000.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Sings Antonio Carlos Jobim
Jazz - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 13 jul. 1981
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita Reys Meets Oliver Nelson
Jazz - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 25 okt. 1965
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Relax With Rita & Pim
Rita Reys, Pim Jacobs Combo, Trio Pim Jacobs
Jazz - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 3 mrt. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Real... Rita Reys
Jazz - Released by Sony Music Entertainment on 17 feb. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Cool Voice of Rita Reys
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 1 jan. 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The American Songbook (Vol. 2)
Vocale jazz - Released by Music Manager on 1 dec. 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita Reys Sings Michel Legrand
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia on 16 nov. 1976
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The American Songbook (Vol. 1)
Vocale jazz - Released by Music Manager on 1 dec. 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beautiful Love
Pop - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 1 jan. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita Reys Sings Burt Bacharach
Jazz - Released by Columbia on 8 jun. 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita Reys Today
Jazz - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 6 aug. 1969
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Kerstmuziek - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 13 okt. 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita A Go-Go (Live)
Rita Reys, The Pim Jacobs Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 9 aug. 1967
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita Reys Collage
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia on 10 jul. 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita Reys: Beautiful Love
Pop - Released by Universal Music Group International on 1 jan. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rita Reys Sings The George Gershwin Songbook
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia on 16 nov. 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Sir, That's Our Baby
The Dutch Swing College Band, Rita Reys
Jazz - Released by Universal Music, a division of Universal International Music BV on 1 jan. 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Marriage in Modern Jazz
Rita Reys, The Pim Jacobs Trio
Jazz - Released by P4Y on 8 jan. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Young at Heart
Jazz - Released by Wedgeview Music on 7 jul. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Valentines Again with Rita Reys - Featuring "It's A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening"
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 31 jul. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Cool Jazz from Holland: The First Dutch Modern Jazz Recordings 1955-1957 Volume 2
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 1 apr. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo