2009 was a successful year for Ntjam Rosie. She graduated from the Codarts Conservatory as a bachelor of music. She majored in Latin singing and minored in teaching. She won the Music Matters Award gaining her the title of music ambassador in Rotterdam during 2010. According to the jury, Ntjam Rosie raised the temperature from the very first moment. Apparently it wasn’t enough, on the same day she also won the ‘MCN World Up! Award’ for most promising talent during the first edition of the Dutch World Music Day. The jury stated: “Her powerful voice and distinctive style creates an astonishing set full of soul and energy.”
For the new album “ELLE”, to be released in the fall of 2010, Ntjam Rosie approaches a more jazz orientated direction compared to her first record “ATOUBA”. This time she found inspiration in artists like George Duke, Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Syreeta and Miriam Makeba. Artists who operate in the fields of soul, jazz and combine elements of Brazilian and African rhythms. The album breathes a late seventies sound with catchy hooks and fine sing along choruses.
Lyrically, Ntjam Rosie shares her enjoyment of life. She wants to tell we are more alike than we think. Her emotional journey is similar to other strong determined women elsewhere in the world. She says: “On this record I take the listener on my musical momentum and from that point on, he or she can continue their own adventure. I believe that the crossing of our paths only has a meaning when we open up for each other. ”
For the production she teamed up again with Nelson & Djosa. Among the musicians are Nathan Allen (Amy Winehouse, Faith Evans), Alex Bonfanti (Tom Jones, Xantone Blacq), Ronald Snijders, Tuur Moens, Rory Ronde, Alexander van Popta, Tjaco Oostdijk. The recording took place at the Flowriders Music studio in Amsterdam where José James and Jazzanova, worked as well.
Ntjam Rosie has been heard and seen in the Dutch media programs Giel Beelen, Radio 2 and 6, Goedemorgen Nederland, AT5 and BNN. She was the support act for Erykah Badu, José James and Bilal. She played in prestigious clubs like Paradiso, Melkweg, Rotown and Sugar Factory and performed on the festivals The Hague Jazz, Dunya, Numoonfest, Mundial, Jazz in Duketown and North Sea Jazz Roundtown.
Ntjam Rosie is based in Rotterdam where she finds the inspiration for her creative output: “I hope that my audience will grow and I hope I’ll get the chance to present my musical vision throughout the world.”
