Since singer Eva Kieboom and keyboard player Emiel van Rijthoven formed Sensuàl in 2002, things have moved fast for this Brazilian band from the Netherlands. The group's debut album Acústico (2004) received high praise and earned them their first performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Their second album, Salve, featuring guests Anton Goudsmit and Eric Vloeimans, won an Edison Award. The infectious mix of Brazilian music, pop and jazz appeals to a wide audience. Sensuàl has toured the world with a performance at the Java Jazz Festival in Indonesia as the climax. Kieboom and van Rijthoven are the stars of the band. Kieboom, who has taught herself Portuguese, switches effortlessly from sensitive ballads to festive, up-tempo numbers. Meanwhile, Van Rijthoven provides the songs with a rock-solid groove, or, if necessary, a melancholic, whimsical background. Last fall saw the release of the album, Trinta, once again to rave reviews.
