Composer, singer and producer BIBI Provence was born on the 24th of February 1963 on the island of Curacao.She started singing in her dad’s choir (Etzel Provence) at the early age of 7.
At the age of ten she started taking music classes, and piano lessons.
There after at the age of 17 she took opera lessons in Belgium during one year with teacher Bea van Acker. She loved the technique but found that opera was too strict for her. So she went to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachussetts in the U.S.A, where she studied for 3 years Professional Music. She participated in clinics given by Arif Mardin, Chick Corea and Cleo Laine (famous Jazz Singer). And had the oportunity to sing in a movie picture titled "the Brother from another planet".
After finishing her study at Berklee College of Music in the U.S.A she returned to her island Curacao and immediately recorded her first album titled "This Time", of which mainly all were her original compositions. David "Ronchi"Matthew did the musical arrangements.
She performed in mostly all major concerts and events on the island, and during three occasions won the Gallardon Vitrola (Grammy award of Curacao) for best female vocalist. She also won the prize at the Curinfest in 1987 of Best Arrangement with her song Smile. And in 1988 she won the prize of second finalist in the Curinfest with the song Free Again. Also that year she had the honor to perform in the Aruba Jazz and Latin festival where she performed for the open up for Jose Feliciano.
Later on she performed for a couple of years aboard the cruiseship the Freewinds where she gave various concerts on several of the islands, with very well known artists such as gold-platinum recording artist Maxine Nightingale, David Pomeranz (songwriter for Barry Manilow), Bob Carter (ex-producer of George Michael) Gayle Moran and Grammy award winner Jazz pianist Chick Corea, together with his two kids Thaddeus and Liana Corea. Other musicians were: Billy Jones, Sonny Khoeblal, Danny Kheough (ex husband from Lisa Marie Presley) guitarist and composer Steven Gary, and well known jazz- pianist John Novello.
After her first album she also recorded and wrote for various of albums for other artists on the island such as:
Music from Curacao where she wrote and produced the song Without You (a duet sung with Nico Huyskens).
She also worked with Singer Daisy Dee (Boju Records), where she recorded the album The daisy project where she recorded the songs Feel the melody, Tell me please, and Glow!!
Other c.d. she wrote the song Nada for the antillean group SERENADA.The song Nada made such an impact, that the group ZAMANAKITOKI asked if Izaline Callister could feature the song on their new album.
Production Masters asked her to sing on their c.d. production JUMP JUMP where she sung Ecstasy, and World confusion.
Later on she was asked to sing in the following project with James "Jim" Kastner for a recorddeal with RED BULLET Holland. Where she cowrote some songs with Jim. The song Joy scored very highly on the islands.
She also participated in the Caribbean Union Broadcasting Songfestival 1993 with the song CURACAO which she wrote and arranged herself, she became second.
The latest album she wrote and produced was the album "Make up your mind"
where she had the honor to work with great musicians such as Michael Simon, Roy Louis, Gili Braaf, Walter Wout, Clark Elisabeth, Arnel Salsbach, Oz "Michael"Eleonora, Raymond Meit, David "Ronchie" Matthew, Sonny Khoeblal and Jesus Martinez.
Roy Louis asked her to sing for the movie picture titled Papa’s Song 1999. The movie was produced by Norman de Palm.The artists she performed with are: Ulrich de Jesus, Eric Calmes, Iwan van Hetten, Rudy Emerenciana, Izaline Calister, Clark Elisabeth, Walter Wout, Ramon Penzo, Salsbach Jazz Trio, Brotherhood of Man, Mark Jansen, George Goede, The John Felter Dancers, Ramses and Ringo Seinpaal (Rhounage), Angel Gittens and Winston Mac Cow, Farid Ali (Mr Gambus), Kew sin Sun, Anthony Thewet, Sebastian Schon, Elmer Louis, Roy Louis, Izaline Callister, Jopi Nicolaas,Juliana Barrios, Latonya Jackson, Orlando Parra, Carlyle Barriteau, Yuchi Cordoba, Niko Huyskes, Krishno Penzo, Boy Thode, Jaen Jacques Rojer, Jorge Carrizo, Anthony Plessas, John Nicholson, Joe Vincelli, Dave Dyson, Steve Hoeverts, Marlon Conradus, Tiko Gonzalez, Monchi Sosa, Jesus Martinez, Ismael Gonzalez, Uti Gonzalez, Papa Everett Thomas, Franklin Rubiano, Hubert Martina, Grupo Kanto i protesta, Eddie Samson, Gino Coelho, The Happy Peanuts!!The group that made BIBI who she is today spontaneous a happy NUT!!and all the other artists who i might have forgotten their names........sorry.....age???$(*&)6!! Lots of good vibes and good health to you all Much love BIBI ProvenceP.S.
Had the honor, this year 2009, to work with an exeptionally wonderful musician Mr. Randy Winterdal from my home town Curacao, I sang in his new project Muziek di kokolishi that is coming out soon!!Thank you Randy for giving me this wonderful song to sing. Love you to bits!!
Was part of Yessireebop for almost a year, and had the pleasant experience to record a demo with two of my songs with the guys. Sadly enough i had to leave the group due to some misunderstandings. But had the honor to perform in Beachpop this year in Februari 2009 for a benefit concert in Aalsmeer in Holland with the group Yessireebop! Thanks Joep van der Velden, Andre Vogel, Paul Schothorst and Kees Poulus for a wonderful short time with Yessireebop!
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