izaline
calister
Izaline Calister - Singer, composer and lyricist. An Edison Award winner (in 2009) who has built an impressive track record in the past 25 years. With her charming style she gathered a loyal group of fans worldwide. She has the ability to remain true to her roots and successfully reach out and conquer audiences around the world, handling comfortably 5 languages, singing with equal ease and agility jazz-standards, Brasilian MPB, Dutch evergreens, Curaçao traditional tumba, children’s songs or own lyrics on self composed music with feeling and grace.
2021
Van de andere kant - Theatrical show with Thijs Borsten about how the Dutch and the Antilleans see each other, their differences and resemblances.
De eeuw van Harry Belafonte - Theatrical tour with singer Leoni Jansen, pianist Thijs Borsten, percussionist Roël Calister about the life and workd of American singer Harry Belafonte.
Opening Slavery-exposition - In the presence of His Royal Highness the King of the Netherlands, Izaline opened the much talked about Slavery-exposition in the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum, singing ‘Vlemayo Cositu’, an ancient song about motherhood.
Gershwin Celebration - Concert-tour with the new bigband of arranger and conductor Henk Meutgeert and Peter Beets.
Bon dia goeiemorgen - Izaline used the covid-19 lockdown to finish a project with children’s songs from her youth. It resulted in a picture-book and CD with 23 songs in Papiamentu with Dutch adaptations.
Het eiland van mijn vader - Follow-up of the (postponed) theatre-tour of the show about Izaline’s birth-isle Curaçao and her father.
2020
De eeuw van Harry Belafonte - Theatrical tour with singer Leoni Jansen, pianist Thijs Borsten, percussionist Roël Calister about the life and workd of American singer Harry Belafonte.
Het eiland van mijn vader - Follow-up of the (postponed) theatre-tour of the show about Izaline’s birth-isle Curaçao and her father.
‘A musicians paradise’ - Presentation of the online talkshow during the Amersfoort jazzfestival.
2019
Tula Remembrance Concert - Izaline Calister shone in a special production that she and her team put together in remembrance of the slavery-revolt on Curaçao led by Tula. The remenbrance is yearly staged at ITA, Amsterdam, around the date of the start of the revolt, 17 August.
Eiland van mijn vader - Follow-up of the (postponed) theatre-tour of the show about Izaline’s birth-isle Curaçao and her father.
‘TOCAR’ - Concerts as guestsinger at Rik Cornelissen’s band ‘TOCAR’.
Opening Black Achievement Month - Concert with Thijs Borsten.
De Uitdaging - With singer/trumpeter Jeroen Zijlstra and Thijs Borsten.
Christmas-shows - Guestperformances on Aruba and Curaçao.
2018
Eiland van mijn vader - Tour with Izaline’s ‘home-made’ theatre-concert about her birth-isle Curaçao. Together with theatre-magician Thijs Borsten.
Tour Pili Pili - Reunion tour in Germany and Austria with the successfull band of keyboardist Jasper van ’t Hoff.
South Africa - Tour with the orchestra of New York round Midnight.
CD-recordings - Recording in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw with Ed Verhoeff, guitar and Angelo Verploegen, flugelhorn.
‘Sacred Concerts’ - Performing Duke Ellington’s master-piece with the Dutch Spirit Bigband and choir ‘Kwajr’.
Knighted in the Order of Oranje-Nassau - Izaline was nominated by the mayor of Groningen by authority of His Royal Highness King Willem-Alexander. She was granted this honour because of her achievements as a singer composer and lyricist, being an ambassador for the language of Papiamentu and the Antillian culture, crossing the borders between and bridging the peoples of the different countries of the kingdom of The Netherlands, and for her charity-activities.
Performance for King and Queen in the city of Groningen on ‘Koningsdag’.
‘Latin Diva’ - Reprise of her theatre-show met Marc Bischoff, piano and Helene Jank, percussion and voice.
‘Een Tip Van De Sluier’ - Continuation of the 2017 theatre-tour
2017
‘Een Tip Van De Sluier’ - Theatre-show on the works and life of Lennaert Nijgh with singers Jim de Groot, Josee Koning and Sjors van der Panne.
‘De Uitdaging’ - Theatre-show with Magda Mendes and Thijs Borsten.
Stand-up-show - So-called ‘Lul-verhalen’ with Howard Komproe, Jetty Mathurin and Everon Jackson Hooi on Curaçao.
Tour Pili Pili - Reunion-tour in Germany and Austria with the successfull band of keyboardist Jasper van ’t Hoff.
Benefit-concert - Participation in the benefit-concert for St. Maarten.
2016
‘Latin Diva’ - Tour with concertperformances in Dutch Theatres.
Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival - She played with great success on this festival on Aruba.
Presentation of the PC Hooftprize Presentation of the PC Hooftprize - On invitation of the laureate, Izaline sang for Astrid Roemer at the presentation of the prestigious literature-award at the ‘Letterkundig Museum’ in Den Haag.
‘E leyenda di Buchi Fil i Mosa Nena’ - Touring Curaçao with this musical theatershow, produced by Izaline in collaboration with ‘Het Volksoperahuis’. In 2015 it toured Surnam, and it was adapted for Curaçao with actor Albert Schoobaar. There were 6 sold-out shows .
‘Rayo Di Lus’ - The new cd of Izaline Calister with a totally new sound is called Rayo Di Lus (Ray of Light). It features two surprising acts, the Curaçao/Dutch cooperation ‘KiT’ and the Aruban group ‘Buleria’. Izaline’s eighth(!) contains ten new songs and a beautiful adaptation of the Dutch song ‘Telkens Weer’. If not before, this cd settles her name as a singer/songwriter.
2015
Barricade - In 2014, Izaline and singer Leoni Jansen put together a theatre tour with protestsongs of all times, that staged theatres all over The Netherlands. They were accompanied by a small band, and Izaline herself on guitar! The production reprised in 2015.
200 jaar Koninkrijk - Izaline sang at the closing-day with Leoni Jansen and the line-up of ‘Barricade’. They performed a song from their theatre show and featured later that night with a dazzeling guestperformance at the afterparty!
‘Geen Liefde Zonder Vrijheid’ - Musical theatershow, produced by Izaline in collaboration with ‘Het Volksoperahuis’ and Jörgen Raymann. In 2015 it toured Surnam, and it was adapted for The Netherlands with an extension under the name ‘Uw Koninkrijk Kwame’.
‘Was Getekend’ - For a special occasion in honour of writer Astrid Roemer, Izaline was asked to compose and perform a song based on one of Roemer’s poems.
Mother’s Day concert - With Jetty Mathurin.
‘New York Round Midnight’ - Theatre concert, touring Dutch theatres. Sitting in are Peter Beets on piano and Ben van den Dungen.
2014
Barricade - Izaline and singer Leoni Jansen put together a theatre tour with protestsongs of all times, that staged theatres all over The Netherlands. They were accompanied by a small band, and Izaline herself on guitar!
NSJF Curaçao - Izaline sang at the openingnight of the North Sea Jazzfestival in Curaçao, accompanied by the Metropole Orchestra, singing songs of ‘Doble R’.
200 jaar Koninkrijk - As a member of the National Committee for the celebration of 200 years Kingdom of the Netherlands Izaline travelled St. Maarten to host the Youth Patliament, together with, ao Princess Beatrix.
‘De Verboden Wetenschapsmonologen’ - Every now and than, Izaline participates in the projects of SJL, the foundation of John Leerdam, who makes political performances. This was one of them.
‘De Uitdaging’ - Theatre-tour with pianist Thijs Borsten and singer Wieke Garcia.
2013
200 jaar Koninkrijk - As a member of the National Committee for the celebration of 200 years Kingdom of the Netherlands Izaline co-hosts the starting festivities, including a performance at the ‘Koninkrijksconcert’ on 30 November, attended by king and queen.
‘Geen Liefde Zonder Vrijheid’
- Musical theatershow, produced by Izaline in collaboration
with ‘Het Volksoperahuis’ and Jörgen Raymann. In 2015 it
toured Surnam, and it was adapted for The Netherlands with
an extension under the name ‘Uw Koninkrijk Kwame’.
PICTURES »
Keti Koti Festival - Izaline as guestsinger with the Metropole orkest, remembering 150 years of slavery-abolution. The concert was live televised.
Swingin’ Groningen - Performance with the 20-year-tribute band of Benjamin Herman.
Tambú, a freedom song - Reprise of the musical theatre-show in Dutch theaters.
‘Geniale Anarchie’ - Theatre-production by John Leerdam runs in Aruba and Curaçao.
2012
200 jaar Koninkrijk - Member of the National Committee for the celebration of 200 years Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Fresku - Izaline records with rapper Fresku for both his and her cd.
South Korea - Izaline participates in the Jazz Summerschool in Seoul.
Vaginamonologen - Theatre-production
Tambú, a freedom song - Musical theatre-show on Oerol-festival with the Volksopera.
‘De Verboden Wetenschapsmonologen’ - Theatre-production by John Leerdam
2011
Nomads - Theatre-show with Lillian Vieira and Julya Lo’ko
CLAUS! - Theatrical reading, touring Aruba and Curaçao.
Thailand - Touring with Beets bros. and Ruud Breuls (tpt).
Conservatory Arnhem - Izaline starts teaching.
India - Touring with own band (Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta).
India - Touring with Mike del Ferro trio.
2010
Cello 8tet - Series of concerts
10 jaar de mooiste Liedjes - Theatre-show with own band, compilig highlights of ten years of singing.
Noorderlichtekooi - Theatre-show with ‘Vrouw Holland’, amongst others.
She Got Game XL - Theatre-show produced by Leoni Jansen.
2009
South Africa - Participating in the ‘Roots Fees’, a cultural festival organised by University of Wes-Kaapland in Belville.
Israel - Touring jazz-clubs in Israel with her band.
Speransa
- Fifth album of Izaline, cd-presentation on May 1, Paard
van Troje, Den Haag. CD-presentations in Curaçao and Aruba
in September.
PICTURES »
United Nations
- Accompanied by guitarplayer Nile Rodgers, Izaline sings at
the concert for the annual International Day of Remembrance of
the Victims of Slavery and the Atlantic Slave Trade. The event
takes place in the General Assembly Hall in the UN-building in
New York.
PICTURES »
YOUTUBE »
‘Verhalen voor een warme lentenacht’
- Based on old stories from different countries, Izaline
writes the songs that put up this musical theatershow with
actor and storyteller Raymi Sambo. Directed by Leoni Jansen.
PICTURES »
With Toumani Diabate in Mali
- Invited by foundation ‘Mundial’ Izaline gives and gets
workshops in Mali, resulting in a concert with Toumani Diabate
and his Symmetric Orchestra and a meeting with singer Oumou
Sangare.
PICTURES »
2008
‘Aña di Kultura’ - The government of Curaçao announced 2009 to be Year of Culture. Izaline was assigned to compose the theme-song for the event that opens on Brionplein, at New Year's Eve with the first live performance of the song ‘Nos Kultura, Ban Selebré’.
Suriname-tour - Live in Paramaribo with the Izaline Calister-trio, for liturature festival ‘Winternachten’
Gerard van Maasakkers - Izaline is invited by Dutch singer Gerard van Maasakkers to sing on his cd ‘Anders’, with o.a. Stevie Ann.
Ricciotti-ensemble
- Adventure with this symphonic street-guerilla-orchestra. 63
performancies in 25 days in Aruba, Curaçao and The
Netherlands.
PICTURES »
‘Palabra’
- Izaline put together a theatershow in honour of Antillian
artist/ musician/ poet Elis Juliana.
PICTURES »
‘Izaline Calister - Lady Sings The Tambú’ - Documentary-film about Izaline and her music. The film is made by director Miluska Rosalina and screens on festivals in Surnam, Miami, Aruba, Curaçao, Denmark and Barbados.
2007
Nederlands Filmfestival - Documentary ‘Izaline Calister - Lady Sings The Tambú’ premieres at Dutch Film Festival.
Changá!
- Tour on Curaçao and Aruba with theater-show. With (amongst
others) Reymi Sambo, Helen Kamperveen and member of parliament
Mark Rutte, direction John Leerdam. Pictures.
PICTURES »
USA-tour - Series of concerts in New York. Review (Dutch) on Volkskrant blog.
Benefitconcerts on Curaçao - With the musical greats of the isle for orphanage GOG.
‘Bevrijdingsdagconcert’ - Accompanied by the Metropole Orkest in Amsterdam, live televised for national TV. HRH Queen Beatrix attended. See recording at NOS-site
Singing stories
- Touring different countries in a project for
liturature-festival ‘Winternachten’.
PICTURES »
2006
With the Peter Beetstrio
- Touring Dutch theatres with Gershwin’s Porgy and
Bess-repertoire.
PICTURES »
Concerts with the Metropole Orchestra
- Izaline sings with strings. Project with the entire
orchestra, produced by Jazz-agency Impuls.
PICTURES »
Hélele-tour Aruba/Curaçao
- Series of concerts on the isles of the Dutch Antilles,
presenting the newest cd Kanta Hélele.
PICTURES »
Kanta Hélele - Recording and release of fourth cd, ‘Kanta Hélele’ (Sing Hélele).
Workshops - Giving workshops for the Rotterdam Conservatory
Kazachstan Jazz-festival - Three-day tour with Roy Dackus (drm), Jesse van Ruller (gt), Karel Boehlee (pno) and Theo de Jong (bass).
2005
Playing with Toots Tielemans
- In a Christmas-concert with the Jazzorchestra of the
Concertgebouw, Izaline shared the stage with the great Belgian
harmonica-player.
PICTURES »
Cubop City Bigband - Tour with the latin band, together with good friend and singer Lilian Vieira.
Mexico-tour - A three-week-tour all over the Mexican country, with the Izaline Calister band, presenting KRIOYO to a whole new audience. With recordings for BBC tv-show ‘Destination Music’.
Gospel cross-over - Izaline performed on the biggest gospel-festival in The Netherlands with adaptations of original Antillean repertoire.
Tour in Africa
- With Ethiopian singer Minyeshu.
PICTURES »
Duo Conversations - Series of concerts with Randal Corsen, piano.
Krioyo theatre-tour - Touring some 40 theatres in The Netherlands with the 8-piece IC-band. ‘Sharing the joy of Antillean music.’
2004
Celebration-concerts for the ‘Statuut’ - Invited by the departments of Culture and Home Affairs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ‘Statuut van de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba’, Izaline performed on Aruba, Curaçao and in a TV-show in the ‘Ridderzaal’, The Hague.
Singing for the queen - At the televised presentation of the new Dutch bible-translation, singing the Lord’s Prayer in Papiamentu (‘Nos Tata’), attended by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix.
Antillean tour - Concerts with own band on the Dutch Antilles. First time live on Aruba!
Guestperformance with ‘Tumbabo’ - At North Sea Jazz Festival accompanied by the fantastic orchestra of band-leader Randal Corsen.
Krioyo - Third cd of the Izaline Calister band, this time extended with string-quartet ‘Strings Unlimited’.
She got game too - Together with six great fellow vocalists and theater personalities, Izaline performs in a show filled with music, dance and laughter.
Pili Pili best of-tour - Germany- tour to celebrate the 20th birthday of the band led by ‘tastenderwisch’ Jasper van ’t Hof.
‘Amsterdamse Kracht’ - Composition and performance for the New-Years Party of the municipality of Amsterdam.
2003
Project ‘Kanta Konsiente’ (= Conscious Singing) - Invited by cultural foundation ‘Kas di Kultura’ in Curaçao Izaline gave a series of lectures and workshops for schools and choirs. For this project she wrote a syllabus on singing technique and a booklet, called ‘Na Paradera’ about ‘seú’, one of many traditional music-styles of Curaçao.
Made in Holland - Musical project that involves the talents of 45 musicians and singers of many different nationalities. Participants are e.g. Edsilia Rombley (Neth. Antilles), Twarres (NL) and Fernando Lameiriñas (Portugal). Made in Holland is artistically supervised by Leoni Jansen.
Summerfestiaval - tour with IC-band in Ireland, Italy and holland.
Vagina Monologues - Izaline was invited to join the cast of the Dutch version of the famous ‘Vagina Monologues’ by Eve Ensler.
She got game too - Initial tour of the theater-show.
2002
Mariposa - Second album of the IC-band. Nominated for the Edison-awards 2003.
Jazzorchestra of the Concertgebouw
Juffrouw Kokolishi’s bruiloft - Theatre-show for children that toured the Dutch theaters.
Noord Nederlands Orkest - Open-air Concert with this symphonic orchestra. Izaline was very happy to be surrounded by so many violins.
Fiesta Kurasoleño - Izaline put together this band with extended horn-section to give tribute to the wonderful music of one of the greatest composers in Curaçao, Rignald Recordino, better known as Doble R.
Theatre-tour in 25 Dutch theatres with IC-band
2001
Michiel Borstlap’s Vocal 2001 - Special project with piano player Michiel Borstlap. Joined by singers Deborah Carter and Wies Ingwersen Izaline performed with this great trio in Dutch theaters.
Tour through Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras with the small accoustic line-up of the Izaline Calister band.
Tumba festival 2001 - Izaline was chosen ‘Tumba Queen’ of this years carnival performing the song ‘Mucha di Otrabanda’ better known as ‘Sa sa na awasa’.
2000
Jamesz - Highly original jazz-trio with a very distinctive own mixture of jazz, funk and worldmusic. Their second release ‘Fatuh’ features lyrics by Izaline (Tibaldinho).
Soño di un muhé - First album of IC-band. The cd-presentation in Curaçao resulted in a number 1 position in the local top 40. It was the first time a jazz-album stirred so much commotion in the top 40 of Izaline’s native island. Momentous presentation in the BIM-huis, Amsterdam. Raving reviews (Dutch) and a great deal of publicity followed.
1999
Michiel Borstlap’s Temple of Dance - Special project with piano-player Michiel Borstlap. The importance of being free was translated into groovy dance music. No rehearsal’s, no commitments, no boundaries. Just playing, listening, reacting and having fun. With this project Izaline performed in New York city.
1998
The Izaline Calister Band - Izaline puts together her band out of talented musicians, hailing from Curaçao. This formation accompanies Izaline on five cd-releases (and counting!).
Conservatory graduation - Performing a fascinating concert with a wide variety of music Izaline graduated in Groningen (NL).
1997
Grupo Zamanakitoki - Invited by bass-player Eric Calmes, Izaline re-started singing in Papiamento. The band could well be considered as the cradle of Izaline’s current style of music.
Aquarela do Brasil - In 1996 Izaline started playing Brazilian songs with guitar-player Rob Elfrink, which eventually ended up in this full-manned formation.
Dissidenten - German world-music formation, founded in 1981. Izaline sang with them for three years.
1996
Pili Pili - With this formation led by Jasper van ’t Hof, Izaline started touring internationally.
Duo with Rob Elfrink - Still every now and then Rob and Izaline play at small jazz-clubs bringing their original adaptations of Brazilian evergreens, jazz-standards and some good old Curaçao waltzes.
1995 and before
Deco Deco - Starting as backing vocal before being lead-vocalist, Izaline joined this successful local band. It played Caribbean music (soca, calypso, zouk) in a characteristic style.
Grupo Forsa - Student choir. Izaline sang with sister and friends old and new songs from Curaçao.
Perlitas - Children’s choire on Curaçao, led by composer Rudy Plaate.