Charlotte shows her multi-coloured timbre
Café des Chansons was founded in Amsterdam in 2015 and has since explored the boundaries of French chanson with a unique lineup. The ensemble consists of a professional classical string quartet with Giles Francis and Evelien Jaspers on violin, Odile Torenbeek on viola, and Sebastiaan van Halsema on cello, combined with the voice of Charlotte Haesen, a trained jazz singer.
The heart of the repertoire is the French chanson, featuring both classics and original compositions. Each piece is meticulously arranged by renowned arrangers who write specifically for this combination. The string quartet creates a classical sound, while Charlotte's jazz background lends the ensemble a unique touch.
The chansons on the CD "La Blancheur des Cygnes" tell of women in the past, women today, women about beauty, love, their dependence, or lack thereof. Their strength or fragility... Sometimes Charlotte sings about herself, sometimes she sings about women who are not like her, but she portrays them beautifully as well. Each chanson has a distinct voice, so to speak.
Charlotte Haesen - vocals Giles Francis - violin Evelien Jaspers - violin Odile Torenbeek - viola Sebastiaan van Halsema - cello
Photo Charlotte: Carlos Villaroel Photo of String Quartet: Lisanne Soeterbroek
