“each track stands alone as a delectable morsel.”
Larry Birnbaum, Downbeat
“… full of unexpected twists and inspired acoustic interplay.”
Gene Kalbacher, New Music Report
“…displays both instrumental prowess and vocal acumen on this album. Elias approaches the songs by respecting tradition while at the same time giving them a fresh, contemporary spin. Elias’ piano work is stellar. As a singer, she brings a wistful cool to the songs. This is a fine album. Elias artfully conveys the spirit and emotions of Jobim’s songs. Elaine Elias Sings Jobim is a Bossa Nova gem.”
David Chiu, Good Times
“The highlight of the evening ( Calle 54-concert at UCLA) was Eliane Elias trio. As the phrase goes they were jammin . Taking the stage in a long black dress, Elias kicked off her shoes, sat down at the piano and drifted off on a dreamy progression of jazz chords before catching the current of Brazilian composer Jobim’s tunes. Along the way, Elias playing was exhilarating.”
Rob Lowman, Los Angeles Daily News, Oct. 02
“The sultry and exotic ruminations of Eliane Elias continue to stir the ear and heart on her new recording Kissed by Nature. With a tried and true blend of Brazilian vocals and exquisite jazz, Elias plays, sings, moves and grooves the music into energetic and relaxed moods that will entice and entertain discriminate listeners”.
allaboutjazz.com
“The beautiful, Brazilian-born, New York-based pianist vocalist Eliane Elias is delivering swinging music hip and hot enough for North and South America. Whether the groove is acoustic or electronic, jazz or samba, it s all Eliane Elias, and it’ s all great.”
Eugene Holley, Amazon.com
“a leisurely but muscular album without a single discordant or ill-considered note, this collection (The Three Americas) has a tropical feel which makes for ideal listening..”
Jack Massarik, Hot Tickets
JAZZ PIANIST SURPRISES FESTIVALGOERS: “Some of the finest examples of Brazilian music were on display at the JVC Festival, where singer and composer Gilberto Gil led an all star group including singer Gal Costa and pianist (and music director) Eliane Elias…Ms Elias turned out to be the surprise hit of the evening. Her insistent accompaniment and intricate, driving solos blended perfectly with Mr. Gil.”
Associated Press, June ‘93
“the overall mood of “Kissed” is one of subdued beauty, expressive melodic lines, and very integrated (rather than solo-driven) ensemble work between piano, bass and drums this is a most reflective and lovely- departure. ( Kissed by Nature)
LC,/ Billboard
“The ongoing reputation of Eliane Elias as a keyboard genius is substantially enhanced by her five solo pieces on this remarkable album (Solos and Duets). No constraints impede her solo exploration.”
Patricia Myers, JazzTimes
“Sunny and warm…extraordinary pianist.”
Willard Jenkins, JazzTimes
“… If you’re looking for something fresh to listen to – something that goes down smooth but can heat things up at the same time – check out Ms. Elias.”
Lou Forino, All that Jazz
“Effortlessly charges into works by Bud Powell and Charles Mingus with a vengeance.”
Kent Zimmerman, Gavin Report
“Elias is a powerful two-handed linear player whose fleeting lines are punctuated with chords and varied by alternating dynamics, diverse phrasing ideas and a wide range of moods and emotions. Impressive stuff!”
Nancy Ann Lee, Jazz & Blues Report
A ROUSING SHOW OF SPONTANEITY: “Her performance with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Satoshi Takeishi was a thrilling display of a nimble, cohesive unit – mature and flexible enough to read subtle cues from one another and exploit spontaneous rhythmic desires. Often classified as a Brazilian pianist, Elias goes beyond her homeland’s influence to incorporate classical structures and a strong command of the jazz standard repertoire. Listening to the Elias trio shift into different gears, explore varying styles and layer earthy textures is not to be missed.”
Michael Renner, St. Louis Post Dispatch
BRAZILIAN JAZZ PIANIST WOWS NON-JAZZ HIPSTERS: “One of the things that makes Elias’ music exceptional is that she performs her jazz in a way that it becomes more accessible to non-trained listeners… You don’t have to be a jazz hipster to enjoy Elias’ music and you certainly don’t need a road map to find the melody…The songs swing with Latin rhythms that seem to have more to do with romance than prancing the rudiments of Jazz technique. Elias seems to sense that a spoon full of sugar (and maybe just enough rum) will help the medicine go down.”
Jim McGuinn, Walla-Walla Union Bulletin
JAZZ TRIO SIMMERS, THEN COOKS: “…the impression of this trio, and especially this pianist- remains strongly romantic…It is the Brazilian lyricism that tugs at the heart–while the rhythm -implied or overt- tugs at the body. Definitely an appealing mix.”
Owen Cordle, The News & Observer
“(Milton)Nascimento &(Eliane)Elias have more in common than most realize. The balladeer and the instrumentalist have achieved a kind of artistic parity in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, and elsewhere, where audiences unfamiliar with the subtleties of regional Brazilian culture place a high premium on ‘the jazz thing” in their music. On that level playing field, stripped to the basics and interpreted solely on musical merits, the improvisational, jazz-spiced qualities that set Brazilian popular music apart from pop genres virutally everywhere else make the two fully compatible.”
Mark Holston Jazziz – Feb/Mar ‘94