Shirma Rouse was born on Curaçao and raised on Sint Eustatius before moving to Rotterdam at nineteen. After studying chemistry she turned to music full-time, first making her name as a backing vocalist for artists including Anouk, Chaka Khan and Michael Bolton. Her solo albums - among them Chocolate Coated Dreams (2010) and Shirma Rouse sings Aretha (2012) - established her as one of the Netherlands' most powerful soul voices, a standing confirmed when she was invited to Aretha Franklin's funeral in 2018 in recognition of her tribute work.
Shirma Rouse performs on September 5, 2026 at Openluchttheater Podium Nienoord in Leek with Soul in the Park - Reggae Edition, with Kenny B as special guest.
In an interview with Libelle, Shirma Rouse talks about her musical choices and the decision to stop doing background vocals.
Soul in the Park - Reggae Edition is the third season of the open-air theater tour, where Shirma with her band The Fratteli's and a brass section pays tribute to her Caribbean roots.
Shirma Rouse performed at LantarenVenster Rotterdam with a Christmas show full of soul classics and gospel songs, accompanied by her live band.
Shirma Rouse released the album Celebrating Aretha Franklin, together with the Orkest Koninklijke Luchtmacht.
Shirma Rouse performs with the Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra and ZO! Gospel Choir at de Doelen.
Dance party with Angelo, Humphrey Bacilio, Mike Mercy, Re-Play and Shirma Rouse in Alphen aan den Rijn.
Soul vocalist Shirma Rouse takes the stage at Jazzpodium BIRD for an intimate evening, marking the venue's 15 years of hosting live music.
Shirma Rouse celebrates her Caribbean roots with Soul in the Park, performing soul and reggae with her band The Fratteli's and a brass section. The set includes songs by Bob Marley, Doe Maar and Billy Ocean.
