Raffaela

Raffaela grew up with pop, rock and classical music in her early years. In grammar-school she was already very active in music, since the age of nine she successfully studied classical transverse flute for about four years. From age 13, during her time in high-school, Raffaela won several contests performing her self- written songs and was seen as one of the most talented youngsters in music. That was only the beginning.
Raffaela did tour for the Dutch music televisionstation TMF, became vocalist/composer for several pop, hip-hop and soul projects and scored instant hits together with a.o. E.X.T.I.N.C.E. Meanwhile Raffaela worked on her own songs matching pop with nu-soul. At Soulplanet she was introduced as a vocalist to the world of DJ's as Roog and Micha Klein that perform in combination with well known Dutch live musicians, like Hans Dulfer (sax) and Kees ten Damme (of Marco Borsato's band).
In the course of 2002, famous film and television director Theo van Gogh discovered Raffaela's singing sessions in Toomler, Amsterdam. Being very impressed by her voice and powerful performance he wanted to arrange an album for Raffaela. Van Gogh introduced her to award-winning jazz pianist and producer Michiel Borstlap. Some time after this encounter the duo started working on an album consisting of some selfwritten songs by Raffaela next to Soul, Blues & Jazz standards. The tragic death of Theo van Gogh was one of the reasons that the finished album has not been released so far.
Raffaela went on for some different flavours, Hip hop beats, vocals, mixed with jazz. This resulted in a project (Noorderslag Festival) with Red Nose District (jazz/hip-hop crossover) and an underground hit; 'crazy bout ya woman'. This single is now in it's seventh repress worldwide. Raffaela also ventured into the realm of classical music. Together with DJ's as Joost van Bellen she worked on Matthaus Passion - The Remix. A huge adventure in sound and motion picture. She performed together with DJ's Joost van Bellen, Wanna be a Star and Misbehave in Cannes at the Advertising Festival. And together with Lambda she just rocked Germany with the single 'hold on', (label United), which also became a small hit in Holland. Raffaela worked with DJ Maestro on his Blue Note DJ night at Bitterzoet in Amsterdam.
In the mean time Raffaela is frequently been requested lending her vocal abilities for radio and television commercials through Europe for a.o.: Hi, Nokia Ringtones, Saab, Hiunday, Mercedes, Skoda, Smirnoff Ice etc.
Now its time for Raffaela to use all of her expertise, wonderful talents and power for the sake of finishing her first own album and conquer the world. This album will reflect some diamonds of the recent passed, as well as brand new recorded ones. Expected to be ready for relelease: end of 2005. Check out the mp3's on the audio section of this EPK for some pre-taste of it!