Flora Purim

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1960s

Genres

jazz, jazz fusion, brazilian jazz

Instruments

vocals, piano, guitar

Biography

Flora Purim is a renowned Brazilian jazz singer born in Rio de Janeiro on March 6, 1942. Growing up in a musical household with a violin-playing father and an amateur pianist mother, she developed a passion for singing and playing instruments at an early age, drawing inspiration from iconic jazz vocalists.

In 1967, she relocated to the United States to pursue musical studies in California. During her career, she collaborated with prominent musicians like Airto Moreira, whom she married, and joined the legendary jazz fusion ensemble Return to Forever alongside Chick Corea, as well as working with Hermeto Pascoal.

Recognized for her remarkable vocal range and improvisational skills, she was voted the best jazz singer in the United States by critics for four consecutive years in the 1970s. Her notable solo work includes albums such as Butterfly Dreams, alongside landmark recordings like Light as a Feather, cementing her legacy in international jazz and Brazilian popular music.

Discography

• Flora É M.P.M. (1964)
• Butterfly Dreams (1973)
• Stories To Tell (1974)
• 500 Miles High (1976)
• Open Your Eyes You Can Fly (1976)
• Encounter (1977)
• Nothing Will Be As It Was...Tomorrow (1977)
• Everyday, Everynight (1978)
• That's What She Said (1978)
• Carry On (1979)
• Mickey Hart, Airto, Flora Purim – Däfos (1983)
• Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Joe Farrell – Three-Way Mirror (1985)
• Flora Purim & Airto – Humble People (1985)
• Flora Purim And Airto – The Magicians (1986)
• Flora Purim & Airto – The Sun Is Out (1987)
• Airto Moreira / Flora Purim – The Colours Of Life (1988)
• Midnight Sun (1988)
• Queen Of The Night (1992)
• Now Go Ahead And Open Your Eyes (1994)
• The Flight (1994)
• What You See (1995)
• Speed Of Light (1995)
• Welcome Back '95 (1995)
• Samba de Janeiro (1995)
• John Critchinson Quartet Featuring Pat Crumly Guests Flora Purim & Georgie Fame – Excuse Me, Do I Know You? (A Tribute To Ronnie Scott) (1998)
• Perpetual Emotion (2000)
• Flora Purim Sings Milton Nascimento (2000)
• Wings Of Imagination (2001)
• Speak No Evil (2002)
• Flora's Song (2005)
• Dubble D Feat. Flora Purim & Diana Booker – Switch (2005)
• Nos Dois - Flora Purim Sings Milton Nascimento (2006)
• Airto Moreira & Flora Purim – Live In Berkeley (2012)
• Nuno Mindelis Special Guests Airto Moreira, Flora Purim – Angola Blues (2019)
• Airto Moreira & Flora Purim – Live At Jazzfest Bremen 1988 (2021)
• If You Will (2022)
• No Goodbyes (Live Los Angeles '79) (2023)
• Airto Moreira, Ricardo Bacelar Feat. Flora Purim – Maracanós (2026)