Here's something you might be interested in.
Anthology hosts a must see concert this Wednesday, Sept. 14, with a rare San Diego performance of Brazilian pianist / vocalist Eliane Elias.
Elias began playing the piano at seven and she had it together enough to be making television appearances before becoming a teenager.
At 17, she was making music with guitarist Toquino and poet Vinicius de Moraes.
Elias studied jazz intently from the records her father brought back home from business trips, first absorbing the works of Art Tatum and Nat "King" Cole before assimilating modern masters like Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock.
Ona European tour, she met bassist Eddie Gomez who encouraged her to come to NYC, "but I postponed coming to New York until I was truly sure of myself," said the pianist.
Her first US gig of note was taking the piano chair in the jazz-fusion group Steps Ahead.
She didn't begin singing professionally until a 1985 recording session with trumpeter Randy Brecker, and even then, it was with some reluctance.
Eventually with the constant support of peers like Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette, her confidence in her voice grew.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Elias is touring in support of her latest Concord Records release, Light My Fire which features Brazilian pop tunes along with the Doors classic and a Motown gem, "My Cherie Amour," by Stevie Wonder.
The Elias version of "Light My Fire" is slow and sultry and adds a slew of new meanings to the lyrics.
Even though she has lived stateside for many years, Elias' voice still has that sensuous Brazilian accent--which is sexier than a lifetime subscription to Playboy magazine.
Her piano playing, however, is the real draw. Elias can play straightahead jazz, modal, fusion and Brazilian grooves of all types with an intricate force and inspired ingenuity. She's a strong enough player to have earned the honor of recording an album of duets with Herbie Hancock on the Blue Note label.
Her latest record features a red-hot band of husband Marc Johnson ( Bill Evans Trio ), ex-husband Randy Brecker, Brazilian stalwarts Oscar Castro-Neves and Gilberto Gil on guitars and Paulo Braga on percussion.
The concert begins at 7:30. Tickets are available for $12, $24 and for booth seats $ 30 (minimum of four).
photo courtesy Eliane Elias
Anthology hosts a must see concert this Wednesday, Sept. 14, with a rare San Diego performance of Brazilian pianist / vocalist Eliane Elias.
Elias began playing the piano at seven and she had it together enough to be making television appearances before becoming a teenager.
At 17, she was making music with guitarist Toquino and poet Vinicius de Moraes.
Elias studied jazz intently from the records her father brought back home from business trips, first absorbing the works of Art Tatum and Nat "King" Cole before assimilating modern masters like Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock.
Ona European tour, she met bassist Eddie Gomez who encouraged her to come to NYC, "but I postponed coming to New York until I was truly sure of myself," said the pianist.
Her first US gig of note was taking the piano chair in the jazz-fusion group Steps Ahead.
She didn't begin singing professionally until a 1985 recording session with trumpeter Randy Brecker, and even then, it was with some reluctance.
Eventually with the constant support of peers like Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette, her confidence in her voice grew.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Elias is touring in support of her latest Concord Records release, Light My Fire which features Brazilian pop tunes along with the Doors classic and a Motown gem, "My Cherie Amour," by Stevie Wonder.
The Elias version of "Light My Fire" is slow and sultry and adds a slew of new meanings to the lyrics.
Even though she has lived stateside for many years, Elias' voice still has that sensuous Brazilian accent--which is sexier than a lifetime subscription to Playboy magazine.
Her piano playing, however, is the real draw. Elias can play straightahead jazz, modal, fusion and Brazilian grooves of all types with an intricate force and inspired ingenuity. She's a strong enough player to have earned the honor of recording an album of duets with Herbie Hancock on the Blue Note label.
Her latest record features a red-hot band of husband Marc Johnson ( Bill Evans Trio ), ex-husband Randy Brecker, Brazilian stalwarts Oscar Castro-Neves and Gilberto Gil on guitars and Paulo Braga on percussion.
The concert begins at 7:30. Tickets are available for $12, $24 and for booth seats $ 30 (minimum of four).
photo courtesy Eliane Elias