Eliane Elias in New York City

Eliane Elias (Daniel Azoulay/Jazz at Lincoln Center)

Eliane Elias is a Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian jazz pianist and singer.

Eliane Elias in New York City

Eliane Elias, the Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian jazz pianist and singer, starts her “Time and Again” tour; at Birdland jazz club in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan; Wednesday-Saturday, September 11-14, 2024. From $41. 🇧🇷

New York City Venues

Eliane Elias Was Born into Bossa Nova

Elias was born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1960. She started playing piano as a child and by her teenage years was teaching. She turned professional in 1977 by touring with “O Poetinha” (the little poet) Vinicius de Moraes (one of the fathers of Bossa Nova) and guitarist Toquinho.

Elias came to New York in 1981 to attend the Juilliard School of Music. That connects her with Wynton Marsalis, the voice of American Jazz. Elias recorded her first album “Amanda” (Passport Jazz, 1985). She just got bigger and better after that.

Recent Albums

“Time and Again” (2024) swings really hard with that Rio de Janeiro Copacabana Beach vibe.
“Quietude” (2022)
“Mirror Mirror” (2021)
“Love Stories” (2019)
“Music from Man of La Mancha” (Concord, 2018) features Eliane’s interpretation of songs from the five Tony Award-winning musical and movie, including the global hit, “The Impossible Dream.” Eliane recorded the music years earlier with the composer of the music.
“Dance of Time” (2017) was nominated for Latin Grammys for “Best Latin Jazz Album” and “Best Engineered Album.” It reached #1 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz and World Music charts, and was a #1 iTunes Jazz Album and #1 Amazon.com Best Seller.
“Made in Brazil (2015) won a Grammy for “Best Latin Jazz Album.”
“Something for You: Eliane Elias Sings & Plays Bill Evans” (2008). Bill Evans (American, 1929 – 1980) was an influential Jazz pianist and composer. The guy must have had two brains because he is famous for the expression in his harmonies, and his melodies were free like scat singing over the top of the song. Evans was part of Miles Davis’ sextet when they recorded Kind of Blue (Columbia, 1959), the best-selling Jazz album of all time. It just happens that Elias is married to bassist Marc Johnson who was the bassist for Bill Evans’ final trio. Family is the most intimate connection.
“Solos and Duets” (Blue Note, 1995) with Herbie Hancock, was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Jazz Solo Performance.”

Films

Eliane performed “Samba Triste” (Sad Samba) in Fernando Trueba’s legendary movie and album shot at Sony Music Studios on 54th Street in Midtown, Manhattan. Calle 54 (EMI, 2000) was nominated for a Latin Grammy for “Best Latin Jazz Album.”