It all started 25 years ago in the back of a thrift store in Prague. Jetty Swart (Jet Black Pearl) stumbled upon a fancy accordion. She smuggled it back home to the Netherlands, stared at it for a couple of weeks before she realized that now she had to learn how to play it, and write songs.
And sing them.
Since then, Jet has performed in big tops, prisons, living rooms, tunnels, gardens sheds, barges and ruins all over the world. She spent many years in France, and just when the French started to give her several French songwriter awards (Mais oui!), she moved to Portland, Oregon. Now she sings in French and English, but always with a Dutch accent.
Her smartly wacky songs sound like a mad hatter’s European tea party with a funky attitude. Before your very eyes, she creates grooves and loops of flute, plastic bottles, rubber pigs, vocal percussion and harmonies, while squeezing her red accordion. She also might do a little dance for you. But watch your own feet… they’re already wiggling!
Photo by Miri Stebivka