Upon watching her performance and then shyly approaching her at the grand opening of Chatime Galleria, I almost kicked myself for not knowing about her sooner. “Where has she been?”, I inwardly questioned. No, wait. More like, “Where have I been?!?”
But she’s not new to the local music industry, obviously. I’ve just been ignorant all my life!
Formerly one-half of the popular pop-jazz band Rhapsody, she is a wordsmith and a songstress who hails from sunny island up north Penang. Her music is largely influenced by artistes such as Ella Fitzgerald, India.Arie, Caetano Veloso, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Jamie Cullum, Florence & The Machine, and The Beatles.
Well, evidently:
Bihzhu (who used to go by the name Nicole Foo) continues to sweep us off our feet with her warm, jazzy, somewhat honey-laced voice. Armed with her love for jazz, soul, reggae, acapella, world music, and pop, she meshes her musical influences and her life experiences into a light-hearted and melodic smorgasbord that shines with honesty, earnestness, beauty, and love.
And might we add that her talent has taken her from venues like Melbourne’s Miss Libertine, to our city’s best jazz bar No Black Tie, and the Fringe Stage at the 2006, 2009, 2001 editions of the Penang Island Jazz Festival.
It’s safe to say that she has gone around the world – almost!
In October 2011, she released her debut EP, aptly titled, “Nightingale Tales“.
“Echoing the hills and valleys of life, Bihzhu’s sultry vocals entice you on a journey that traverses the breeziness of folk and foot-tapping swing, lifting and swirling before plunging into the groovy soulfulness of reggae.”
“Nightingale Tales’ is but a glimpse into the heartland of this promising songstress, hinting at a richness of emotion and purity that shines through every note, and lingers in the silences in between..”
Oh swoon! So drop everything and purchase the digital album here or, alternatively, you can buy her physical special print CD album at these locations:
- BIJOUX TERNER – Level 1 Shop 49, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
- THE *CLICK* SHOP – 18, Jalan SS2/55 47300 Petaling Jaya Selangor Malaysia
- HAI BENG COFFEE SHOP – 216 Jalan Burmah 10350 Penang Malaysia
- STRAITS RECORDS – 24 Bali Lane, Singapore, Singapore 189860
For more information, visit her Facebook page or follow her Twitter account. If you followed closely enough, you might be able to hear her sing.
Don’t say we didn’t share!
