Ithamara Koorax

Originating from Rio de Janeiro, Ithamara Koorax rose to prominence within Brazilian pop-jazz circles throughout the 1990s. Her background traces to Polish Jewish roots, with her family having escaped Europe amid World War II. Born in Rio during 1965, she started classical studies while still young. Upon reaching adulthood she directed her attention toward Brazilian pop-jazz instead, drawing inspiration from singers that included Flora Purim, Elis Regina, Shirley Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen McRae. By age 18 she discovered steady income through session vocals for assorted performers and jingle work for Brazilian advertising firms, gaining notable visibility after her track “Iluminada” appeared in a widely watched Brazilian soap opera during the early 1990s. Her debut album, Luiza: Ithamara Koorax Live, appeared in Japan via JVC in 1994, after which multiple projects followed on the Japanese Paddle Wheel imprint: Rio Vermelho in 1995, Ithamara Koorax Sings the Luiz Bonfá Songbook in 1996, Wave 2000 in 1997, and Bossa Nova Meets Drum'n'Bass in 1998. Her initial U.S. release arrived in 2000 when Fantasy obtained the rights to Serenade in Blue, which had been recorded in 1997 and 1998, from the Jazz Station label.