Singapore jazz singer Marina Xavier dies of stomach cancer at 68

SINGAPORE – Home-grown jazz singer Marina Xavier died of stomach cancer at Singapore General Hospital on Nov 6. She was 68.

Her niece, local singer Karen Xavier, tells The Straits Times that the cancer was in remission for a little over a year, but returned in 2024.

Says Karen, 55: “She fought a brave fight and remained true to herself until the very end. She was a remarkable talent and a one-of-a-kind personality – bold, expressive and never afraid to live life her own way. She brought colour and spirit to every stage she walked onto.”

Born in Singapore to a Dutch-Portuguese mother and Burmese-Indian father, Marina Xavier first made her name singing in local clubs like the now-defunct Carriage Bar in York Hotel in the early 1980s.

In 1989, she moved to Paris to sing in clubs there, and spent the next two decades shuttling between Singapore and the French capital. She also performed across Europe, South America and Asia.

Her discography, which straddles genres like jazz, Latin, dance and pop, includes her self-titled debut album released in 1997 and her fifth album Where Do You Start? (2008). She also scored radio hits such as Made In India (1996) and Do The Dut (Dang Dut) (1997).

Xavier was one of over 120 singers and musicians from the local jazz scene who were part of A Great Day In Singapore, a commemorative group photo by the Jazz Association (Singapore) (Jass). It was shot at National Gallery Singapore in September 2024 by local celebrity photographer Russel Wong.

Local jazz pianist and Jass’ music director Jeremy Monteiro says that session was the last time he saw her – “surrounded by fellow jazz musicians (and) a fitting reminder of how loved and respected she was”.

The 65-year-old tells ST: “Marina was one of Singapore’s most distinctive jazz voices – warm, husky and deeply soulful. She lived a truly international life, dividing her time between Singapore and Paris, where she even performed with the legendary (American jazz trumpeter and vocalist) Chet Baker.”

He also recalls the “many wonderful musical moments” together from the 1980s to the 2000s, including a “memorable” performance at the launch of Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A380 in 2007.

Local jazz singer Jacintha Abisheganaden, who was close to Xavier, described the late artiste as “kind and chaotic” and “wild with life” in a Facebook tribute post on Nov 6.

Abisheganaden, 68, tells ST: “We were good friends who supported each other’s music though we have very different styles. She moved like a cat and had a kittenish growl at the mic. We were loyal to each other’s hopes and dreams, calling each other in the last few years from remote parts of the world.

“She had a smoky, swingy style which was rhythmic and made whoever was listening want to dance. Her song styling was short, succinct phrases that told the story. She had an emotional range that could be naughty or epic.”

Abisheganaden adds: “She knew everyone and loved everyone. She brought Eurasian warmth and European glamour to her music, audiences and friends, who were mostly transatlantic.”

Rick Smith, a well-known guitarist in the local jazz scene who had performed with Xavier since the early 1990s in bands like ChromaZone, also paid tribute to her craft.

“She always had a vibrant presence on stage and crossed idioms from blues to jazz to Latin music. Her raspy, soulful voice was distinctly suited to these styles.”

He recalled how she helped him finish the lyrics of his song Something’s Wrong (2005) with Indonesian band Bali Lounge, which became a hit in the country in 2006. He also played on the track All Of Me from her album Where Do You Start?.

Xavier had no children and is survived by her husband Carlos Camacho, a 55-year-old Bolivian national.

Her wake is held at St Joseph’s Church in Victoria Street. The funeral will be on Nov 10 and the cortege will leave at 1.45pm. The funeral mass will take place at Church of The Holy Family at 2.30pm and the cremation will be at Mandai Crematorium Hall 3 at 4.30pm.