Eliane Elias
Encyclopedia
Eliane Elias (born March 19, 1960 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazil
ian jazz
pianist
, arranger
, vocalist and songwriter
.
at age seven. She studied at the Free Center of Music Apprenticeship in São Paulo. She joined Brazilian singer/guitarist/songwriter Toquinho
and poet/entertainer Vinicius de Moraes
when she was 17 years old, with whom she made concert tours for three years, mainly through South America
.
On a tour in Europe in 1981, she met jazz bassist Eddie Gomez
and was encouraged to travel to New York
. After moving there, she was invited to join Steps Ahead
, and recorded one album with the group in 1983. After leaving Steps Ahead, she worked with trumpet player Randy Brecker
, whom she subsequently married. They recorded an album named after their daughter, "Amanda". In 1988 she was elected as "Best New Talent" by the JAZZIZ magazine poll of jazz critics.
She has recorded several notable albums, including one featuring duets with Herbie Hancock
. Their 1995 disc "Solos and Duets" was nominated for a Grammy
in the "Jazz instrumental video" category. In 1997, American musician Bob Brookmeyer
dedicated a full album to his arrangements of Eliane's compositions, backed by the Danish Jazz Orchestra and published under the name of "Impulsive!", which received another Grammy nomination as "Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album" in 2001.
Elias was one of the featured artists in the Latin jazz
documentary, Calle 54
, released in 2000. She is married to bassist
Marc Johnson, with whom she has produced several albums including the ECM Records release titled Shades of Jade which features Eliane's writing and pianism. This recording won the Best Foreign Release Award in Denmark in 2006 and was chosen by Time Magazine as one of the five best Fall releases in 2005.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Jazz piano
Jazz piano is a collective term for the techniques pianists use when playing jazz. The piano has been an integral part of the jazz idiom since its inception, in both solo and ensemble settings. Its role is multifaceted due largely to the instrument's combined melodic and harmonic capabilities...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, vocalist and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Biography
Elias started with the pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at age seven. She studied at the Free Center of Music Apprenticeship in São Paulo. She joined Brazilian singer/guitarist/songwriter Toquinho
Toquinho
Antônio Pecci Filho , better known as Toquinho , is a Brazilian singer and guitarist. He is well-known for his collaborations, as composer and performer, with Vinicius de Moraes.-Childhood and musical studies:...
and poet/entertainer Vinicius de Moraes
Vinicius de Moraes
Marcus Vinicius de Moraes , known as Vinicius de Moraes and nicknamed O Poetinho , was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Son of Lydia Cruz de Moraes and Clodoaldo Pereira da Silva Moraes, he was a seminal figure in contemporary Brazilian music...
when she was 17 years old, with whom she made concert tours for three years, mainly through South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
On a tour in Europe in 1981, she met jazz bassist Eddie Gomez
Eddie Gomez
Edgar "Eddie" Gómez is a Puerto Rican jazz double bassist born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, perhaps most notable for his work done with the Bill Evans trio from 1966 to 1977.-Biography:...
and was encouraged to travel to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. After moving there, she was invited to join Steps Ahead
Steps Ahead
Steps Ahead is a jazz fusion group and the brainchild of vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. According to the liner notes of the group's 1983 debut album , entitled Steps Ahead, "Steps began as a part-time venture in 1979 at Seventh Avenue South, a New York City nightclub." The group began releasing...
, and recorded one album with the group in 1983. After leaving Steps Ahead, she worked with trumpet player Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker
Randal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
, whom she subsequently married. They recorded an album named after their daughter, "Amanda". In 1988 she was elected as "Best New Talent" by the JAZZIZ magazine poll of jazz critics.
She has recorded several notable albums, including one featuring duets with Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
. Their 1995 disc "Solos and Duets" was nominated for a Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in the "Jazz instrumental video" category. In 1997, American musician Bob Brookmeyer
Bob Brookmeyer
Robert Brookmeyer is an American jazz valve trombonist, pianist, arranger, and composer.-Biography:Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brookmeyer first gained widespread public attention as a member of Gerry Mulligan's quartet from 1954 to 1957. He later worked with Jimmy Giuffre...
dedicated a full album to his arrangements of Eliane's compositions, backed by the Danish Jazz Orchestra and published under the name of "Impulsive!", which received another Grammy nomination as "Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album" in 2001.
Elias was one of the featured artists in the Latin jazz
Latin jazz
Latin jazz is the general term given to jazz with Latin American rhythms.The three main categories of Latin Jazz are Brazilian, Cuban and Puerto Rican:# Brazilian Latin Jazz includes bossa nova...
documentary, Calle 54
Calle 54
Calle 54 is a 2000 documentary film about Latin jazz by Spanish director Fernando Trueba. With only minimal introductory voiceovers, the film consists of studio performances by a wide array of Latin Jazz musicians. Artists featured include Chucho Valdés, Bebo Valdés, Cachao, Eliane Elias, Gato...
, released in 2000. She is married to bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Marc Johnson, with whom she has produced several albums including the ECM Records release titled Shades of Jade which features Eliane's writing and pianism. This recording won the Best Foreign Release Award in Denmark in 2006 and was chosen by Time Magazine as one of the five best Fall releases in 2005.
Discography
- 1985: Amanda
- 1987: Illusions
- 1988: Cross Currents
- 1989: So Far So Close
- 1990: Eliane Elias Plays Jobim
- 1991: A Long Story
- 1992: Fantasia
- 1993: Paulistana
- 1993: On the Classical Side
- 1995: Best of
- 1995: Solos and Duets
- 1997: The Three Americas
- 1998: Sings Jobim
- 2000: Everything I Love
- 2001: Impulsive!
- 2001: The Best of Eliane Elias, Vol. 1: Originals
- 2002: Kissed By Nature
- 2003: Timeless Eliane Elias
- 2003: Brazilian Classics
- 2004: Giants of Jazz: Eliane Elias
- 2004: Dreamer
- 2005: Sings & Plays
- 2006: Around the City
- 2008: Something For You: Eliane Elias Sings & Plays Bill Evans
- 2009: Bossa Nova Stories
- 2010: Plays Live
- 2011: Light My Fire