ELIANE ELIAS

Light My Fire is the buzz

Associated Press

“Eliane Elias stands out from other Brazilian singers because she not only has a deep-rooted feel for the rhythms of her native land but also is fluent in the American jazz idiom after spending some 30 years in the United States. Light My Fire showcases her talents as a four-tool player — singer, pianist, arranger and songwriter — with a romantic collection of classic Brazilian songs, American pop and jazz standards set to Brazilian grooves, and original tunes. She’s supported by top flight Brazilian and American musicians, including her rhythm section of guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves, drummer Paulo Braga and her husband, bassist Marc Johnson…a fitting soundtrack for warm summer nights.”

Jazziz

“Since the mid-1980s, pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias has grafted various elements of jazz, pop, soul and other styles to her deep Brazilian roots to create a hybrid groove. Her forthcoming album, Light My Fire — set for a May 31 release on Concord Picante, a division of Concord Music Group — wields this universal sound to explore the various corners of the human heart. Along with four compositions written or cowritten by Elias herself, the album also includes covers of familiar works by Jim Morrison and the Doors (the title track), Stevie Wonder (‘My Cherie Amour’) and jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond (‘Take Five’). Elias weaves it all together into a cohesive whole by injecting each of the 12 songs with distinctly Brazilian grooves that alternate between the fiery and passionate to the cool and sophisticated.”

Jazztimes

“Bright as August along the Costa del Sol and breezy as an Hawaiian lanai, the latest from Brazilian pianist-vocalist-arranger Eliane Elias is possibly the most refreshing summertime jazz album since Getz met the Gilbertos…Elias’ slow, sensual treatment of the Doors’ title track is a masterpiece of musical foreplay, her dusky reinterpretation of ‘Take Five’ and gossamer cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘My Cherie Amour’ equally enticing.”

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