Since her husband Airto Moreira ranks as Brazil's most famous percussionist, it's only fitting Flora Purim qualify as that nation's most celebrated jazz vocalist, though she's never had a huge hit like Astrud Gilberto's "The Girl From Ipanema." While Purim's thunder has been stolen in the '80s and '90s by newer, more invigorating, progressive types like Margareth Menezes and Tania Maria, Purim was a revelation in the '70s. With a voice that at one time could range over six octaves, a soothing, alluring sound and superb timing and delivery, she thrilled audiences with her vocals on the debut Return To Forever album and as a leader. The daughter of professional musicians, Purim studied piano and guitar, and performed in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with Moreira. They moved to Los Angeles in the late '60s, then to New York. While Moreira worked with Miles Davis, Purim joined Stan Getz's band. She recorded with Duke Pearson, then with Return to Forever and Moreira. The duo left Return to Forever in the mid-'70s to form their own band, but Purim's career was derailed by an arrest for cocaine possession. She was imprisoned in 1974 and 1975, then resumed her career. Purim's records in the late '70s were more pop and light jazz oriented. She started her own band in 1978, as her career and Moreira's seemed headed in opposite stylistic directions. But they reteamed in the mid-'80s, and are still working together. Purim recorded in the '70s for Milestone, then for Concord/Crossover, Sobocode, Venture, and Reference with Mickey Hart in the '80s. She's recorded for Fantasy in the '90s. Most of Purim's sessions are available on CD, both her dates and those with Airto. ~ Ron Wynn
Source: AMG Biography