Eliane Elias is one of the finest jazz pianists around today. What's more, she has a gorgeous voice, and her original compositions are exquisite. And if you've seen her live, then you know she's one of jazz's leading performers. Her enthusiasm and zest for music and life drive audiences wild. She's a free spirit, her blonde hair flying as she shifts on the piano bench to coax a feeling or mood from the keyboard.
Now Eliane is out with a new album—Time and Again (Candid), her 32nd release. Like her Grammy-nominated Quietude (Candid) in 2022, this one is a journey through Brazil. The album features Eliane with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Peter Erskine—plus special guests vibraphonist Mike Maineiri, guitarist Bill Frisell, percussionists Marivaldo dos Santos and Davi Vieira, and Mark Kibble, who created stacked Take 6-like background vocals on six of the eight tracks.
The songs are all originals and pure Brazil, with Eliane singing in both English and Portuguese. Midway through each song, she takes flight on a piano solo. The high points for me are At First Sight, Making Honey, A Volta and Sempre, on which she's joined by Djavan, the Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist. [Photo above of Marc Johnson]
Just when you thought summer was going to be a bore, Eliane's album reminds us that there's joy in heat and humidity. You just have to imagine you're on the beach in Rio.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Eliane Elias's Time and Again (Candid) here and on most major streaming platforms.
JazzWax clips: Here's At First Sight. Dig Eliane’s piano solo with bassist Marc Johnson sailing along beautifully...
Here's A Volta...
And here's Sempre. Love Eliane on the Fender Rhodes...
