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Elaine Elias: Made In Brazil

By Gary G. Vercelli

April is Jazz Appreciation Month and April 30 has been declared International Jazz Day. This occasion is celebrated worldwide, including a great concert in Paris, France featuring Herbie Hancock, Hugh Masekela, Wayne Shorter, Till Bronner, and Elaine Elias.

I can’t think of an artist who better exemplifies jazz as a world force than Eliane Elias. A child prodigy in her native Brazil, Eliane was already transcribing piano solos at age twelve and teaching improvisation at one of Brazil’s most prestigious schools at fifteen! She made her way to the jazz mecca of New York City in 1981 and was quickly noticed by colleagues. After work with the innovative jazz fusion band Steps Ahead, Eliane was signed to Blue Note Records.

While she first recorded as a pianist, Elias soon began infusing her genteel vocals and more Brazilian content into her albums. Her latest effort for Concord Records was recorded in Brazil and includes the talents of many of her countrymen, including the legendary Bossa Nova composer Roberto Menescal.

Made In Brazil contains six Elias originals and two classics from Antonio Carlos Jobim, plus two Ary Barroso standards, and two gems from Menescal.  Orchestral arrangements on seven of the twelve tracks were expertly crafted by  Rob Mathes and ” imported” from London’s Abbey Road studios.

Made In Brazil  is, quite simply, an indispensible collection that reflects the Brazil of yesterday, today, and tomorrow!