Chloé Perrier - Petite Fleur

Drawn from favorites among the band’s ever-expanding and evolving repertoire, Petite Fleur includes playful French language re-imaginings of two songs by French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet, “Menilmontant” and “Que Reste-t—il De Nos Amours”; American jazz vocalist Helen Merrill’s seductive and whimsical “Lorsque Tu M’embrasses (Just Squeeze Me)”; the George Shearing-penned, Ella Fitzgerald popularized sexy swinger “Lullaby of Birdland”; the sensual “J’ai Deux Amours,” originated by Josephine Baker; an unexpected high energy romp through the Edith Piaf classic “La Vie En Rose”; the briskly paced “Je Voudrais en Savoir D’Avantage” by French pianist Ray Ventura,” a showcase for Chloe’s quick, rhythmic phrasing; and the “hidden” title track “Petite Fleur,” a Sidney Bichet gem that Chloe recorded in honor of her grandfather. 

The album’s English language tracks include the spirited, Django Reinhardt call and response tune “Coquette”; “Guilty,” a song expressing the power and passion of love, originated by Billie Holiday; and the bolero-mambo classic “Sway,” given a touch of international class and sass via Chloe’s French accent.    

“What I love about this period from the 1920s to the ‘40s is that the music is really happy, and it brings people great joy when I sing it,” says the singer. “This is a vibe I love to communicate with my audiences. Coeur de Francaise, my first album that I recorded in France before moving to New York, was more romantic and melancholic, based on songs from the 60’s through the 90’s. Petite Fleur is about love and decidedly more upbeat despite having maybe one two melancholic songs. 

“The period we are living in is pretty dark,” she adds, “and I like the opportunity to take people away from their problems and help them stay positive, even if just for an hour. People tell me at the end of the show that they feel like they’re in Paris in the 30’s. The challenge is to keep those who have seen the show multiple times engaged, so I am always looking on YouTube or buying old vinyls for unique jazz standards and French chansons from the era.”