With her latest series of releases, Eliane Elias has quietly and sadly unobservantly becoming not only one of the most adroit pianists in jazz, but with albums like this new one, has now entered the top tier of Brazilian vocalists.
Her voice, tall tan and lovely is alluringly soft and understated, making Astrud Gilberto sounding stiff in comparison. Accompanying herself in sensitive fashion on piano, Elias mixes and matches with guitarists (Marcus Teixeira-Lula Galvao-Oscar Castro-Neves), drummers (Celso de Almeida-Paulo Braga) and percussionists (Emilio Martins-Celso de Almeida) while keeping hubby Marc Johnson at the bass throughout. The legendary Dori Caymmi joins in for a floating take of his own “Saveiros” while his dad’s “Marina” is a gentle affair of Elias looking good in nylons supplied by Teixeira. The warmth of pieces such as the joyful “Bolinha de Papel”, the relaxed “Olha” and piano pulsed “So Tinha Que Ser Com Voce” glow like a Brazilian sunset, while Elias sounds convincingly longing on a “Bahia” medley and takes the tender cadence of “Bahia Com H” on a journey like a leaf floating off of a tree. This is music for heart, mind and soul.
She’s currently touring the US, so don’t miss a chance to catch this timeless treasure. Check it our at http://www.catalinajazzclub.com