ELIANE ELLIAS - Dance Of Time
Concord jazz
Eliane Ellias (vcl,pno) Toquinho (gtr) Joao Bosco (gtr) Unknown bass and drums with guest appearances by Randy Brecker (tpt, flg) Mike Mainieri (vbs) Mark Kibble (vcl) Amilton Godoy (pno)
Emerging onto the jazz scene with the ground breaking ensemble Steps Ahead in 1983, this lady has built a highly successful career that has included twenty four albums under her own name and many supporting others. Born in Sao Paulo Brazil and a graduate of The Julliard School Of Music her fluid and inventive piano style has impressed all, but did not reach it's heady peak until 2012 alongside Mark Johnson on bass, drummer Joey Barron and guest artist saxophonist Joe Lovano. The album "Swept Away" became an ECM classic and placed her firmly among jazz royalty. However by this time she had already been adding the vocal touch to her live performances and albums for twelve years. A Grammy award winner for the Latin tinged album "Made In Brazil" (2015), her instrumental skills remain as high as ever, but she now without doubt occupies the same musical ground and audience profile of artists such as Diana Krall, Norah Jones and Madeline Peyroux.
For this recording, which continues the Brazilian feel of 2015, Ms Ellias has chosen two of her early compatriots from the eighties in the form of her partner Randy Brecker on trumpet plus vibes man Mike Mainieri. Both musicians make telling contributions during the very few times they are called upon. The album does have a joyous feel from start to finish but lacks a little variety with only two numbers breaking away from the samba format. Where it does succeed beyond doubt is with the leaders piano playing which although individual in touch does remind us of the great Bill Evans on more than one occasion. Among the highlights are "Copacabana" which is taken unusually in a relaxed and laid back style with piano to the fore and the Harry Warren / Al Dubin standard "Your'e Getting To Be A Habit With Me" sung as a straight ballad in quartet format with Mike Mainieri . "Little Paradise" has a memorable enchanting lyric which is very well delivered but Kurt Weill's "Speak Low", although benefiting from Randy Brecker's fine trumpet does not deliver the impact and sentiment intended by the composer.
The very many fans of Eliane Ellias and the music of Brazil will love this album, others will at least appreciate her skills as a fine modern pianist.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Concord jazz
Eliane Ellias (vcl,pno) Toquinho (gtr) Joao Bosco (gtr) Unknown bass and drums with guest appearances by Randy Brecker (tpt, flg) Mike Mainieri (vbs) Mark Kibble (vcl) Amilton Godoy (pno)
Emerging onto the jazz scene with the ground breaking ensemble Steps Ahead in 1983, this lady has built a highly successful career that has included twenty four albums under her own name and many supporting others. Born in Sao Paulo Brazil and a graduate of The Julliard School Of Music her fluid and inventive piano style has impressed all, but did not reach it's heady peak until 2012 alongside Mark Johnson on bass, drummer Joey Barron and guest artist saxophonist Joe Lovano. The album "Swept Away" became an ECM classic and placed her firmly among jazz royalty. However by this time she had already been adding the vocal touch to her live performances and albums for twelve years. A Grammy award winner for the Latin tinged album "Made In Brazil" (2015), her instrumental skills remain as high as ever, but she now without doubt occupies the same musical ground and audience profile of artists such as Diana Krall, Norah Jones and Madeline Peyroux.
For this recording, which continues the Brazilian feel of 2015, Ms Ellias has chosen two of her early compatriots from the eighties in the form of her partner Randy Brecker on trumpet plus vibes man Mike Mainieri. Both musicians make telling contributions during the very few times they are called upon. The album does have a joyous feel from start to finish but lacks a little variety with only two numbers breaking away from the samba format. Where it does succeed beyond doubt is with the leaders piano playing which although individual in touch does remind us of the great Bill Evans on more than one occasion. Among the highlights are "Copacabana" which is taken unusually in a relaxed and laid back style with piano to the fore and the Harry Warren / Al Dubin standard "Your'e Getting To Be A Habit With Me" sung as a straight ballad in quartet format with Mike Mainieri . "Little Paradise" has a memorable enchanting lyric which is very well delivered but Kurt Weill's "Speak Low", although benefiting from Randy Brecker's fine trumpet does not deliver the impact and sentiment intended by the composer.
The very many fans of Eliane Ellias and the music of Brazil will love this album, others will at least appreciate her skills as a fine modern pianist.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
