Annie Brazil is a Filipino singer. Tagged as the ”Asia’s Queen of Jazz”, she idolized male singers such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Van Monroe that made such impact on her jazz music. She is regarded as the "Grand Dame" of Pinoy Jazz by her contemporaries for her unique jazzy voice and singing style. She is mother to Richard Merk who is considered as a prince of jazz in the Philippines.
The daughter of an Ilonggo who loved playing the guitar, Brazil was born on October 6, 1933 in the district of San Miguel near Malacañang Palace. At the age of 6, together with 3 of my sisters, she appeared in a fashion show. She also started singing at that age. In her teens, she was active in stage shows and was first noticed for her lachrymose rendering of Ang Maging Ulila (To Be an Orphan). She never had any formal voice lessons. She began singing duets with her sister Julie and competed with the Reycard Duet. Carding of the Reycards was also with her other sister named Nena. They did a lot of stage shows, which were popular then, such as Cumbanchero and Tico-Tico. She also sang solo in front of a big band in Clark Field. She also collaborated with Iggy de Guzman's band, Pepe Merto, Cesar Velasco's band, Ding Yalung and a bandleader surnamed Lopez. Most of what she sang that time were standards like Stardust, Embraceable You, Hot Toddy and Better Luck Next Time.
Though she is already at her 70s, she remains active in singing. In New York, where she’s based, she sings twice a week at Cusina Stagionale, a popular Italian restaurant and jazz joint in Greenwich Village. Her latest album was produced by her son, Richard. It’s a compilation of well-loved tunes with new arrangements and sung in Annie’s unique style. Choice cuts include “It Could Happen to You,” “It Might as Well Be Spring,” “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “All the Things You Are,” “September in the Rain,” and her duets with Kuh Ledesma’s daughter, Isabella (“Lullaby of Birdland”), and Richard (“It Had to Be You”)