“Serierse’s control of her voice was impressive, but furhermore she sensed so beautifully where to sing, where not; where the atmosphere asked for more warm, soft colours, and when more powerful outbursts where needed.” – JazzNu

Anna Serierse (1993) is one of Holland’s upcoming Dutch jazz vocalists. From a very early age it was clear that she wanted pursue a career in music, while growing up in a musical household. Listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker and big bands like the Count Basie Orchestra and the Dutch Skymasters, she immersed herself with the jazz tradition.

During her bachelor studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam (2013-2017) she formed a quartet with Gijs Idema, Cas Jiskoot and Tim Hennekes. In this quartet Idema & Serierse focus on finding the perfect blend between their two instruments. They released their debut album MOTUS on DOX records in November 2020. This album was nominated for an Edison Award.

Their second album CLOUD STUDIES released May 19th on DOX records.

 In 2015 Serierse became a part of the vocal section of the Nationaal Jeugd Jazz Orkest (NJJO), Holland’s most prestigious youth big band, led by Buma Boy Edgar prize winner Martin Fondse. His ideology of the sheet music being the non binding guidance from where the musicians can portray their own ideas in his pieces nurtured Anna’s feeling of being free.

Serierse finished her bachelor studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with a 9.5 and honors. After this she started the EUJAM master, a special program where students get the opportunity to study in three different schools in Europe. For this Serierse studied in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Trondheim, where she worked with great Scandinavian artists like Jakob Anderskov, Kirsti Huke and Espen Berg. She finished her master in Amsterdam with a 9,5.

 Serierse’s master research focused on the use of different vowels to blend with different instruments as a vocalist in an instrumental setting, seen from the perspective of great jazz vocalist Norma Winstone, with whom Anna spent time during the summer of 2018. The way Winstone portrayed herself as a singing sidewoman inspired Anna deeply. It evolved the instrumental use of her voice, adding different colors and sounds to the music.

For Serierse the most important things are communication and connection. Connecting with the musicians she shares the stage with, as well as with the people she sings for. While communicating through melodies, lyrics and wordless improvisations, Anna strives to create an intimate atmosphere during her concerts.

Over de past years Serierse has been very fortunate to play with lots of different bands and ensembles, as a front- and sidewoman. She is equally at home with the traditional jazz repertoire, contemporary jazz and free improvisation as well as Brazilian music, performing with small groups, larger ensembles, orchestras and bigbands. Serierse has been performing at well known festivals and venues like North Sea Jazz Festival, InJazz, Bimhuis, TivoliVredenburg and LantarenVenster. Recently she toured in countries such as India, Germany, Norway, Denmark, England, France and China.

Besides performing with her own quartet, Anna is currently working intensively with the Kika Sprangers Quintet/Large Ensemble. They released their new quintet album Mind’s Eye in March 2022. She is also the lead soprano in the international vocal bigband Touché.

Anna is also a main subject teacher at the Fontys Hogenschool voor de Kunsten in Tilburg.

In 2023, Anna won an Edison award for her collaboration with Benjamin Herman, True Love’s Flame.