Guitarist and composer Alain Labrie and vocalist Ester Veldhuis form the duo Estér y Alain. They perform fiery and emotional Spanish and Portuguese language songs, transporting listeners to other worlds. From melancholic Portuguese Fado to Argentinean Chamamé and from exuberant Flamenco to swinging Son Cubano. Alain is a gifted flamenco guitarist who also plays other genres. Ester’s interpretations of the songs, and her beautiful voice make them deeply heartfelt. She shares stories about the songs that allow the audience to embark on a journey to places they might never have been. When Estér y Alain perform for a live audience, it is magical.
Alain and Ester previously played together in the group Los Dolores. After a break of several years, they found each other again. They play a repertoire that spans half the world. From exuberant Flamenco, Portuguese fado, witty Mexican songs, Argentinean Zamba, sultry Son Cubano to Brazilian Bossa Nova.
Ester: "I love Alain's guitar playing immensely! Not only is he a gifted flamenco guitarist, but he plays other genres just as easily. Our passion for these so diverse styles of music comes alive in the studio and becomes magical when played in front of an audience."
Alain on Ester: "From the first time I heard Ester sing, I fell in love with her voice. Pure, beautiful, and with a smile in it. It always makes me happy. There are few singers in the Netherlands who can sing Spanish without an accent. She speaks the language fluently and you can hear that. Also, in the interpretation. She knows what she is singing and really interprets it.
Biography:
Alain Labrie born in Toulon, southern France, grew up in the Netherlands where he started playing the piano at 9. The love for the guitar won out over the piano and from the age of 12 he played electric guitar in various bands. At 21, he discovered the Flamenco guitar and took master classes with, among others, Paco Peña in Cordoba and Carlos Heredia in Seville.
With the French-speaking flamenco/pop band Les Charmeurs inspired by the French song, the Patchanka and other Mediterranean styles, he gained fame, toured at home and abroad and was regularly heard on radio and TV. With the band Luzazul (fado/flamenco/jazz) and da Gaia (flamenco/fado/Latin), he toured many theatres in the Netherlands. Alain also played with Los Dolores in which he accompanied 3 extravagant singers with polyphonic Spanish songs.
With his own flamenco band Labryenco, a mix of flamenco guitar, percussion, fretless bass, violin, flamenco vocals and dance, Alain goes back to his flamenco roots. For Labryenco, he writes all the compositions himself and has released three CDs: Calle Ventana, La Penúltima and Morir y nacer all of which received rave reviews. Morir y nacer features the legendary Jorge Pardo (Paco de Lucia, Chick Corea a.o.).
Since 2001, Alain has had his own studio www.studiolabrie.nl where he has recorded music as producer and engineer by the likes of: John Fillmore quartet, Labryenco, Los Dolores, da Gaia, Luzazul, Basily gipsy band, Marius Preda, Basily boys, KarenB, Banty Holler, Finvarra and many more. Currently, Alain performs with singer Ester Veldhuis.
Discography:
Les Charmeurs: Allez hop et Tralala, La Nuit.
Da Gaia: Akinti, Sin Bordes
Los Dolores: Mis Amores
Paalman/Cuypers ensemble: Ik vertel van mijn liefste, hoe mooi ze is
Labryenco: Calle Ventana, La penúltima, Morir y nacer.
Luzazul: Canvas
Many CDs as guest musician
Ester grew up singing gospel, blues, jazz and rock, and found the power of her voice in a Flamenco choir in her native Amsterdam. She sang at high altitudes in La Paz, Bolivia to the Burmese jungle. She was a founding member of the band Atajo in Bolivia, sang as a guest singer on the CDs of several Bolivian bands and was crowned singer of the year in 1997.
With Los Dolores, Ester performed a repertoire of poetic, subdued and exuberant songs in Spanish and they recorded two CDs. Ester's passion for Spanish-language music further came to life in the musical trio Golondrinas. She travelled to the cradle of Argentine folklore in search of the roots of this rich musical tradition. She sang in the Peñas of Salta, celebrated carnival in Humahuaca at the foot of the Andes and played in Buenos Aires with legendary guitarist Juan Falú. In 2020, Ester met classical guitarist Luis Alberto Soría in France. They recorded the album Sueños y Colores and toured Spain and France with him and a virtuoso musical ensemble. Currently, Ester gives private vocal training, sings in a gospel choir, and organizes singing retreats in inspiring places and performs with flamenco guitarist Alain Labrie. in the duo Ester y Alain.
Discography:
Atajo: Personajes Paceños, Calles Baldías
Pateando al Perro: Caras y Mas Caras
Llegas: Almaqueloide
Los Dolores: Loca Pasion, Mis Amores
Golondrinas
Sueños y Colores