Norine Blues

The presentations of the Couture Norine collections were true society events, often embellished by jazz music. For example, on Saturday, July 25, 1925, they organized the Gala des Choses en Vogue, or the gala of fashionable things, in the Kursaal of Ostend. There, Evelyne Brélia sang the song Norine Blues. The lyrics for the song were written by Georgette and René Magritte, and the music was composed by his brother Paul Magritte. René Magritte also illustrated the score of the song.

Under the impetus of researcher Nele Bernheim, the song was given new life and recorded for the exhibition The Belgians: An Unexpected Fashion Story at BOZAR Brussels in 2015. The version of the song you hear here was performed by Gregory Frateur (vocals) and Bram Weijters (piano), produced by Frank Duchêne.

Image: René Magritte, Norine Blues, 1925. (c) Succession René Magritte – Sabam België 2023