Flora Purim has been called “the queen of Brazilian jazz.”
There’s a good reason for that. The singer was a founding member of Return to Forever with Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke, helping to pioneer the sound of jazz fusion in the 1970s. Throughout a career of almost 60 years, Purim has recorded 25 albums as a leader, 10 more with her husband Airto Moreira, and many others as a guest. She has recorded and performed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Santana, Jaco Pastorius and more. In 2002, Purim received Ordem do Rio Branco for Lifetime Achievement, one of Brazil’s highest honours.
Purim joined us on Café Latino for a conversation about her beautiful music and illustrious career.