JAM Magazine: April/May 1999 Issue: Folly Jazz News

by Doug Tatum

Two More for '98-99
Pianist/composer/singer Eliane Elias (pronounced "Ilee-ahnee Il-ee-us") and her Three Americas Band will appear on the next concert of the Folly Jazz Series, Friday, April 9 at 8:00 p.m. This special touring project combines jazz with the bossa nova rhythms of Brazil, Caribbean music and the tango rhythms of Argentina. With Three Americas, Elias has created an organic blend of music from North, South and Central America that spans a broad musical spectrum.

"My intention is to capture the musical essence of each America," Eliane says, "and to combine their various rhythms and sounds to beat as one heart."

Born in 1960 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Eliane grew up during the time when the bossa nova was in full swing. Naturally, Antonio Carlos Jobim had a huge impact, but she was also inspired by her mother, a classical pianist. Eliane explains.

"Mother also loves jazz, so I grew up hearing lots of classical music as well as jazz -- more, I'm sure, than most Americans."

From her mother's extensive record collection, Eliane listened to the music of pianists Wynton Kelly, Erroll Garner, Red Garland and Nat Cole. By age 12 the young prodigy was transcribing Bud Powell and Art Tatum solos. Three years later she was teaching master classes at Sao Paulo's prestigious Free Center of Music Apprenticeship where she also studied for six years. Although she was already performing at the age of 15, her formal career as a professional musician began at age 17 working in a bossa nova group with Jobim's co-writer, Vinicius de Moraes.

In 1980, Eliane decided to move to New York. About her arrival, she recalls, "I had to work very hard -- harder than a man with my skills might have had to work -- to become established."
Initially, she resisted being pigeonholed as a Brazilian musician, eager to prove herself instead as a bona fide jazz performer. On the recommendation of bassist Eddie Gomez, she landed a spot in the acclaimed group Steps Ahead, remained with them for a year, and appeared on the band's debut album for the Elektra label. Later she joined the Mingus Dynasty Band before starting her solo recording career.

Over the course of an impressive career that has included 11 albums in 11 years and one Grammy nomination (for Solo and Duet with Herbie Hancock) she has documented her genuine love of Brazilian music and American jazz. In describing a performance by Eliane, critic Dan Ouellette wrote, "An exquisite session of delicate thunder, elegant exuberance, dazzling turbulence, restless frivolity and lyrical frenzy; her interpretations are stunning."

About her own work, the gifted artist says, "I have always looked at music and at my instrument as a complete continuation of my body, and an extension of my heart, my emotions, my thinking."

On Saturday, May 15, the Michael Brecker Quartet will bring their musical pyrotechnics to the Folly stage. Watching virtuosity in action is a primary thrill for jazz fans, and for the past two decades, Michael Brecker's bounding expertise has raised quite a few eyebrows. Simply put, he is one of the most sensational saxophone soloists in modern jazz. About his playing, Michael states, "I'm not sure where the full-tilt thing comes from in terms of my personality, because I'm often told that I'm fairly mild mannered. It's probably got something to do with the fact that John Coltrane was a tremendous influence, and I was attracted to the emotional intensity of his playing. The power of his quartet was one of the reasons I chose music as my life's endeavor."

Michael Brecker grew up in Philadelphia and was exposed to jazz early through his father, an attorney and a semi-professional pianist. He and his brother Randy, the highly acclaimed trumpet player, heard Duke Ellington and Miles Davis recordings as children, and at 11, Mike got his first sax. By high school he realized music was one of his biggest interests, and soon he and Randy were attending music camps and spending their days searching out all the jazz they could find.

Michael moved to New York in 1968 and played with Randy in the band, Dreams. A few years later, he was on the bandstand with Horace Silver. The two brothers spent most of the 1970s wowing crowds with the popular funk of the Brecker Brothers band, then in the 1980s there was a stint for Michael with Steps Ahead. Among many others, Michael Brecker has collaborated with Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock. In describing Brecker's position in jazz today, the Philadelphia City Paper stated, "(He) has managed to revolutionize the voice of the modern tenor saxophone; the deep clarity and warmth of his tone, along with unparalleled technical virtuosity and style, has essentially become the standard to which the rest of the world aspires."

Tickets to each concert are $24.00 and $20.00, with discounts available to members of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. And a "Jazz Talk" with Dick Wright will precede each show beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information call the Folly Theater at (816) 474-4444 during regular business hours.

Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater.

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		by Doug Tatum Two More for '98-99 Pianist/composer/singer Eliane Elias (pronounced "Ilee-ahnee Il-ee-us") and her Three Americas Band will appear on the next concert of the Folly Jazz Series, Friday, April 9 at 8:00 p.m. This special touring project combines jazz with the bossa nova rhythms of Brazil, Caribbean music and the tango rhythms of Argentina. With Three Americas, Elias has created an organic blend of music from North, South and Central America that spans a broad musical spectrum. "My intention is to capture the musical essence of each America," Eliane says, "and to combine their various rhythms and sounds to beat as one heart." Born in 1960 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Eliane grew up during the time when the bossa nova was in full swing. Naturally, Antonio Carlos Jobim had a huge impact, but she was also inspired by her mother, a classical pianist. Eliane explains. "Mother also loves jazz, so I grew up hearing lots of classical music as well as jazz -- more, I'm sure, than most Americans." From her mother's extensive record collection, Eliane listened to the music of pianists Wynton Kelly, Erroll Garner, Red Garland and Nat Cole. By age 12 the young prodigy was transcribing Bud Powell and Art Tatum solos. Three years later she was teaching master classes at Sao Paulo's prestigious Free Center of Music Apprenticeship where she also studied for six years. Although she was already performing at the age of 15, her formal career as a professional musician began at age 17 working in a bossa nova group with Jobim's co-writer, Vinicius de Moraes. In 1980, Eliane decided to move to New York. About her arrival, she recalls, "I had to work very hard -- harder than a man with my skills might have had to work -- to become established." Initially, she resisted being pigeonholed as a Brazilian musician, eager to prove herself instead as a bona fide jazz performer. On the recommendation of bassist Eddie Gomez, she landed a spot in the acclaimed group Steps Ahead, remained with them for a year, and appeared on the band's debut album for the Elektra label. Later she joined the Mingus Dynasty Band before starting her solo recording career. Over the course of an impressive career that has included 11 albums in 11 years and one Grammy nomination (for Solo and Duet with Herbie Hancock) she has documented her genuine love of Brazilian music and American jazz. In describing a performance by Eliane, critic Dan Ouellette wrote, "An exquisite session of delicate thunder, elegant exuberance, dazzling turbulence, restless frivolity and lyrical frenzy; her interpretations are stunning." About her own work, the gifted artist says, "I have always looked at music and at my instrument as a complete continuation of my body, and an extension of my heart, my emotions, my thinking." On Saturday, May 15, the Michael Brecker Quartet will bring their musical pyrotechnics to the Folly stage. Watching virtuosity in action is a primary thrill for jazz fans, and for the past two decades, Michael Brecker's bounding expertise has raised quite a few eyebrows. Simply put, he is one of the most sensational saxophone soloists in modern jazz. About his playing, Michael states, "I'm not sure where the full-tilt thing comes from in terms of my personality, because I'm often told that I'm fairly mild mannered. It's probably got something to do with the fact that John Coltrane was a tremendous influence, and I was attracted to the emotional intensity of his playing. The power of his quartet was one of the reasons I chose music as my life's endeavor." Michael Brecker grew up in Philadelphia and was exposed to jazz early through his father, an attorney and a semi-professional pianist. He and his brother Randy, the highly acclaimed trumpet player, heard Duke Ellington and Miles Davis recordings as children, and at 11, Mike got his first sax. By high school he realized music was one of his biggest interests, and soon he and Randy were attending music camps and spending their days searching out all the jazz they could find. Michael moved to New York in 1968 and played with Randy in the band, Dreams. A few years later, he was on the bandstand with Horace Silver. The two brothers spent most of the 1970s wowing crowds with the popular funk of the Brecker Brothers band, then in the 1980s there was a stint for Michael with Steps Ahead. Among many others, Michael Brecker has collaborated with Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock. In describing Brecker's position in jazz today, the Philadelphia City Paper stated, "(He) has managed to revolutionize the voice of the modern tenor saxophone; the deep clarity and warmth of his tone, along with unparalleled technical virtuosity and style, has essentially become the standard to which the rest of the world aspires." Tickets to each concert are $24.00 and $20.00, with discounts available to members of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. And a "Jazz Talk" with Dick Wright will precede each show beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information call the Folly Theater at (816) 474-4444 during regular business hours. Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.