I’m a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, moving freely between Latin, jazz, classical music and my own compositions, on flute, voice, cuatro, percussion and keys. I trained in jazz at the Hilversum Conservatory, then fell for Latin and Caribbean music. With Orquesta Sanvada, one of my compositions became a number-one hit in Curaçao.
I love playing with musicians wherever I go: from Cape Town to Miami, Cuba, Suriname and Curaçao. Today I live in the Ardèche, France, where I perform my solo concert Milestone and my One Woman Latin Band.
Musical CV
Flute · voice · percussion · keys
Composer, bandleader, teacher and producer
Performing & bandleading
Own bands and solo programmes, currently One Woman Latin Band and Milestone, an autobiographical solo concert
Tours as bandleader and soloist in the United States, Spain, South Africa, the Caribbean, Suriname, France and the Netherlands
Number-one hit in Curaçao with Orquesta Sanvada (own composition)
Initiator and opening artist, Domburg Jazz Festival, Suriname
Discography
Orquesta Sanvada — Caribbean
Proyección Sonera — Un Auténtico Sonero (producer)
Caricia di Totolika (music from Curaçao)
Cerca
Composition
Own compositions, and commissions for the World Children’s Festival, the Surinamese theatre production Na Bigi Du and Festival Marathonbuurt
Teaching
Flute, voice, piano, improvisation and band coaching
Nouvelle École de Musique (Aubenas) · Centre la Pinède (Villeneuve-de-Berg) · National Conservatory of Suriname
Production & organisation
Producer of music projects, festivals and tours
Founder of the Claves Foundation, agency for Caribbean music
Concert series Jazz in Hofgeest and festival Terre Mère
National advisor for popular music, Kunstfactor
CD distribution (Choice Music) and endorser of Miyazawa flutes
Education
Amsterdam Conservatory — flute, jazz and classical
Amsterdam School of the Arts — Cultural Management
Boards & committees
Chair of AOVT, one of the first social funds for musicians
Board member of BIM, the Dutch association of jazz and improvising musicians, and of the Dutch Flute Society
Languages
I sing and work in French, English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Brazilian Portuguese.
For bookings and information: francinevandam@gmail.com · +33 6 37 52 25 19