Farida Merville & Friends
Upcoming Concerts:
Farida Merville: The Girl from Amsterdam with a World of Music
Singer/songwriter/producer Farida Merville was born on April 4, 1967, in Suriname and grew up both in the Netherlands and Suriname. The Girl from Amsterdam began singing at the age of 17 in her grandfather’s band (De Vrolijke Jeugd). In the early 1990s, Farida became active as a session and studio musician. After a performance with Saskia Laroo, she met one of the producers of the well-known Dutch house act Quazar (Eric Putten / Gert van Veen), which led to a fruitful collaboration.
As frontwoman and co-composer of Quazar, Farida Merville became a well-known figure in the Amsterdam dance scene. The group released successful albums and singles, including the international club hit Seven Stars (1990), the self-titled album (1991), and the double album Here and Now (1993).
Success with Atlantic Ocean & Solo Releases
Farida also collaborated with the producers of Atlantic Ocean. Once again, she was the frontwoman and co-composer of two successful singles: Body in Motion and Music is a Passion, both released in quick succession in 1994.
As a solo artist, Farida released the single I Just Wanna (1996) and Heartbeats (1997), produced by Edwin Evers.
A Unique Musical Blend
Over the years, Farida’s sound and influences have evolved into a unique blend of various cultures and musical styles. Her music is a fusion of Neo-Soul, Jazz, Funk, and World Music. In 2007, she produced her first studio album Question Mark, which she independently released in 2010.
Theatre, Collaborations, and Festivals
In addition to her solo work, Farida has been involved in various projects in recent years, including the theatre show The Grand Ladies of Jazz, alongside Graziëlla and Annemarie Hunsel. Performed to sold-out audiences at the Bijlmer Theater and the Almere Theater, the show featured live band renditions of songs by Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.
During the same period, Farida collaborated with Ghanaian musicians such as Blay Ambolley (known as the James Brown of Ghana) and Atongo Zimba. Together with these highlife artists, she performed at numerous festivals both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Comeback with Quazar & Surinamese EP
In 2016, Farida resumed performing with Quazar, appearing at venues such as Paradiso (Welcome To The Future Special), Tivoli/De Helling in Utrecht (History of House), and Luxor in Arnhem (25 Years of Quazar, 2017).
In 2018, during the North Sea Round Town festival in Rotterdam, she gave a successful live performance centered around her Surinamese EP Te Yu No. The EP featured her own interpretations and Sranan translations of well-known jazz and soul classics such as:
- Four Women (Fo Uma) van Nina Simone
- You Don't Know What Love Is (Yu No Sabi) van Don Raye & Gene de Paul
- Ain’t No Sunshine (Te Yu No De) van Bill Withers
Scotch & Soda & The Story of Etta James
With Lilian Jarad on piano and Thom Goosens on bass, Farida formed the jazz trio Scotch & Soda. From 2017 to 2021, she paid a swinging tribute to the legendary Etta James in the theatre show The Story of Etta James, together with five close friends, including Renate Koningsbloem and Denise Jannah.
Red Light Jazz 2025 – Farida & Friends live in De Kroegtijger
During her Red Light Jazz performance on Sunday afternoon, June 8, at Café De Kroegtijger, Farida Merville will, as always, be accompanied by her “Friends”.
Line Up
Farida Merville
Vocals
Ruben Drenthe
Keyboard
Louis Drenthe
Bass
Patrick Wiebers
Drums
