Who is the Brazilian teenager? He/she is passionate and apathetic,
abstemious and drug-addicted, criminal and compassionate. Their numbers are growing faster
than any other age bracket. They will soon be Brazil’s movers and shakers.
By Brazzil Magazine
Undeniably, time and over-exposure has diverted continued appreciation of Antônio
Carlos Jobim’s music and turned bossa nova into a cliché. For years, beautiful
tunes like "Wave" and "Garota de Ipanema" have been piped into
supermarkets, dental offices, and even into elevators via Muzak. The term "elevator
music" was applied to the music of Tom Jobim. Nonetheless, devotees of Jobim’s music
continue to promote it. One staunch advocate is an overwhelmingly creative pianist,
composer, and producer, who moved to the United States in 1981, preceded by tales of
greatness.
By arranging and recording a volume of Jobim classics, Eliane Elias has once again
permitted listeners to hear the familiar with a warming appreciation of the discrete parts
that Jobim so mysteriously united. For this latest outing on the Blue Note label, Eliane
has chosen the perfect sidemen: Michael Brecker, Marc Johnson, Paulo Braga, and Oscar
Castro-Neves, who hasn’t sounded this cocksure since his work on the landmark recording Elis
& Tom.
As is typical of Eliane’s work, the arrangements are incredibly intricate while at the
same time sounding deceptively simple. Fledgling musicians attempting to play along with
these "familiar" tunes will soon realize how many modulations and chordal
alterations Elias utilizes without drawing attention to them. She extracts from each
composition everything that Jobim put into them and infuses them with a richness that
draws out their finer subtleties and increasingly complex harmonic overtones while
retaining that distinctive Jobim sound.
Elias was a child prodigy who had been spared that special hell reserved for artists
who force their talents too early by her penchant for transcribing Art Tatum and Bud
Powell solos from recordings. When Eliane first paraded her technical skills in the United
States, she amazed musicians and non-musicians alike. They marveled at her dazzling
right-hand runs, executed often at frightening speed. Her command of the keyboard was
total. Her harmonic sensibility caused a sense of wonderment among other pianists on the
New York scene.
Harmonically, she was advanced despite the developments that were being made by players
like Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea. Her predilection for changes of key baffled some, but
there was no denying her constant retention of melodic interest in whatever piece of music
she was playing. Jazz greats frequented New York clubs to listen, in apparent abject
disbelief and no little admiration, to this sweet young girl unleash her pyrotechnical
skills. At twenty-one she had an overwhelming command of everything from up-tempo numbers
to ballads, great harmonic insight, monumental swing, and the passion of her Brazilian
roots.
In informed jazz circles today Eliane Elias is considered to be one of the most
evolving composers, pianists, producers, and leaders to come along in many years, and with
the release of Sings Jobim, vocalist can be added to the list. One New York pianist
told me that the Sings album is just another example of the record label’s
cockamamie marketing schemes. "Poof! Transform Eliane into a singer and sell more
CD’s!" But Blue note has always been the first label to recognize and record real
jazz talent, and more often than not they have blazed a trail in jazz which was later
traveled by other labels.
I’ve been a big fan of Eliane’s ever since that first album with Steps Ahead (1983), so
naturally Sings Jobim has been in my CD player lately, and the best way I’ve found
to approach Eliane’s debut as a vocalist is with open ears and a sense of wonder. If
nothing else, reverence arises from humility and from the capacity to get out of one’s own
ego and to listen. When I spoke to Eliane, I was struck by how exceptionally alert,
unpretentious, and candid she is.
Brazzil—A friend of mine describes your playing as a cross between
Egberto Gismonti and Bud Powell. Which pianists have influenced your playing the most?
Eliane—Most people relate or compare to things that they know, to pianists
that they know. People have told me, "Oh, you sound like Keith Jarrett," or
"You sound like Bill Evans." But I’ve been influenced by a number of pianists,
especially as a young girl, starting with Art Tatum and Bud Powell and going to Wynton
Kelly, and I can go on… Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett…
Brazzil—It’s interesting that you mentioned Bill Evans because both
Eddie Gomez and Marc Johnson worked with him. Do these players bring something to your
music that you admired in the music of Bill Evans?
Eliane—You know, I’ve known these players for years. I know how they play. I
was very, very familiar with their music when I moved here. Depending on what direction I
want to take the music, I will call a specific player. Eddie Gomez and Marc Johnson are
wonderful bassists. They are wonderful jazz players, but they are also very melodic. Marc
Johnson especially has an intonation that is just absolutely perfect. You know, that
classical training mixed with all the jazz. And there are certain things that I write that
require somebody who can execute the part, but who also will create things when we are
playing other tunes. It’s a very hard chair to fill in my trio because you not only have
to be a jazz player, but you have to know the music of Brazil.
Brazzil—And the percussion chair in your rhythm sections is always held
by one of the drum world’s aristocracy: Naná Vasconcelos, Perter Erskine, Jack
DeJohnette. Are these the players in the United States with the best concept of Brazilian
rhythm?
Eliane—When I recorded with Jack DeJohnette, for example, my intention was to
do those Brazilian numbers as jazz tunes, as a looser thing. I wasn’t looking for the
complete, authentic Brazilian drummer. On the new recording I called Paulo Braga who is
Brazilian, and who’s authentic. He has the sound that I wanted for that particular
recording, the sound I wanted when I was singing, when I wanted bossa nova to be
played the way it should be played. Paulo, I think, is really the greatest Brazilian
drummer. So it depends on the music that I write and what I’m looking for. And it can
happen the other way around too. If I know that I’m going to be touring with Perter
Erskine and Marc Johnson, I might be inspired to write things that I know would be great
to play with them. And the same with Eddie and Jack and other players. I think, "All
right! This will be great with them. Let me write something for that trio." I can do
it that way or write first and then choose the musicians for the recording.
Brazzil—You dedicated a tune on So Far So Close to a great bass
player who in 1987 met a senseless and violent death. Can you tell me a little about your
composition "Straight Across"?
Eliane—That’s a tune I dedicated to Jaco Pastorius, and I still think it’s
very interesting. Harmonically speaking, "Straight Across" is kind of modal, but
it’s not like a Weather Report tune. It’s something that had to do mostly with the way
Jaco played, and if you notice on the recording, I’m also playing the bass line on
keyboards. It was great because I had Michael (Brecker) and Peter Erskine playing the
other parts, and, of course, they both worked a lot with Jaco. Jaco was an inspiration.
Brazzil—Has working in the U.S. created any barriers for you as far as
keeping up with what is currently happening in Brazilian music?
Eliane—Not really, because I go to Brazil often, like two or three times a
year. And I’m in touch, you know? I’m pretty much aware of things that go on, especially
with the things that interest me musically. I might not know the latest pop group because
perhaps I’m not searching for that, but I am aware of what is happening in general with
the country’s music. And you know, I’m always back, so I still feel that I haven’t created
any barriers. If anything, living in the U.S. has created a kind of nostalgia for me here
and there. I miss my country and my language; it’s so inspiring there. The sound of the
birds… they sing differently. The time of the place and the people… It’s just
different, and I do miss that aspect of it. That’s why I go as much as I can.
Brazzil—How is your career perceived by players in Brazil?
Eliane—In terms of pianists in Brazil, the ones I know there always look at me
as an example, as someone who did something and got out of the country. It’s difficult to
leave Brazil, come here, and establish a career. They admire that. I think I have inspired
a lot of people, not only musically but especially in a personal way like, "Oh, this
is a goal that I have to reach." It’s something I think they look at and say,
"Oh, great, she did it. I’d like to do it." But I’m sure that young players have
many, many idols, many fine players that they listen to.
Brazzil—You mentioned that Herbie Hancock was one of your influences.
How was it working with him on your Grammy nominated CD, Solos and Duets?
Eliane—When we were scheduled to record, he arrived the night before, very
late, around midnight, and he came over to my place and said, "So what are we going
to do?" And I said, "Well, let’s just go and play." I told him that the
only tune I knew I wanted to do for sure was "The Way You Look Tonight." So we
got there, and it was really magic. I don’t remember if I was right or left channel, but
we were one on each side, you know, like the speakers, right? And when we went to listen
afterward, we didn’t know who was who. It was really like one… completely. It was like
our creation right there. I got goose bumps when I listened to some of the free pieces,
like one called "Messages" where we just started playing and really let go and
played free improvisation. The ideas were flowing. Herbie named it "Messages"
because he felt that we were really communicating. Working with him was a great musical
experience. Really beautiful.
Brazzil—When did you first meet Herbie?
Eliane—I met Herbie in 1981 when I was touring with Steps Ahead. We were
playing a double tour with V.S.O.P. (1). Steps would play first, and Herbie
would go to the first row in the theater and sit there listening to me play. And he loved
it! I used to tell him, "I study your music. I love your playing," and all that.
He was always one of my idols. I was just a young girl, and I was playing on the same bill
as Herbie Hancock, working together! He was so kind. We started doing more and more
concerts together, and over time we became more like friends, like musicians, less like
the idol and the young girl.
When I recorded my first CD, he went out there and told every magazine, "I like
Eliane Elias. Her playing is great. She brings me to tears." He really was so
supportive. So I’ve always been thankful, first, for his music, it’s so wonderful; and
second, for the incentive and the support that he gave me when my career just started. It
was rare because so many people just… You know how people can be. We always wanted to
play together, but the opportunity didn’t come until we recorded the duet album.
Brazzil—Chick Corea recently released a CD of Bud Powell’s music, and
Danilo Perez did one of Monk’s. If you were to record a tribute to an American
pianist/composer, who would you choose?
Eliane—Ah… I don’t know. I mean Cole Porter has some great tunes. You know,
I love Bud Powell. I would prefer to record Bud Powell than Monk.
Brazzil—What’s your take on Monk?
Eliane—Well, very interesting. You’re going to laugh at this because when I
was in Brazil, I had a great collection of records, but I didn’t know, for example, the
ages of the players, when they came out. I knew Art Tatum was older. Oh, and I had (Oscar)
Peterson too. You know, I had all those guys. I was listening to everybody. And I heard
Monk, and I said, "Oh my God! Who is this guy? He’s so sloppy, and he’s got no chops.
He has no technique. So sloppy!" I mean, I was comparing him to, you know, to Art
Tatum or to Herbie or to Keith Jarrett. My take was like, "Huh?! Interesting."
But the way he played, you know, to me at that time, was sloppy (laughs). But I know he’s
great. Great stuff. Created another style, and you know…
Brazzil—Can you tell me a little about working with Vinícius?
Eliane—Something interesting. I was invited to work with him and Toquinho in
1978. And I worked with Vinícius until he died. I was a very young girl, and it was a
really great experience. I mean, Vinícius was not only a great lyricist, he was a great
poet, and a great diplomat. A very intelligent man, very sensible, very sensitive and
wise. And his view of life was… He had a different take than most people do, very
different. And I think that, not just musically but personally too, sharing years on the
road with somebody like that, sure did something to me in terms of my view of life.
Really, I was very fortunate.
Brazzil—Jobim is a dominant thread on your Blue Note recordings. Do you
feel Jobim’s music will continue to hold up over the next 50 years?
Eliane—You know, it’s so hard to predict what’s going to hold up. We never
know. These days the adolescents are listening to something else. We have a new generation
here that’s very different. But I still believe that bossa nova is sensuous. There
is something about it that is just so great that people relate to. Jobim’s songs are
just… He’s a great composer. I believe that he is Brazil’s best composer, like the
father of our standards. So far it has been like that. It’s hard to say if it’s going to
continue. That depends on who’s going to continue playing his music the way it should be
played. Not many people do. His music, in a certain way, is very complex, but it can sound
very simple. And because it can be done in a simple way, it is also music that is played
everywhere by different… You know, I can walk into a hotel and hear it in the lobby. I
can walk into a great jazz musician’s set and hear it. I mean you hear it in different
ways because he reached such a wide audience. And who’s going to continue doing it is
going to be interesting. Will it hold up in fifty years? I don’t know, but I hope so.
Brazzil—Which is your favorite Jobim recording?
Eliane—I don’t have one only. I like all of his recordings, so it’s almost
impossible to name just one. Some tunes from Elis and Tom are magnificent. The Composer
Plays had great tunes. Oh, he has so much that it’s hard to say one. He has a
beautiful album with arrangements by Claus Ogerman, Urubu. Beautiful! I was so
young when it came out, but I was so impressed when I heard it.
Brazzil—I’ve heard some people say that the idea for Sings Jobim was
a Blue Note marketing scheme to sell more CD’s.
Eliane—That’s interesting. You know, people… (laughs) That’s interesting how
they put things. Blue Note’s idea? You know, I wasn’t forced. I haven’t been forced in my
career to do anything that I didn’t want to do. And I wouldn’t, over anything. Everything
that I have done, every project that I have accepted, whether it was my idea or not, was
because I wanted to do it. You know how many CD’s I have out, right? I have used my voice
on more than a few tunes, sometimes just using my voice as another color, sometimes as an
instrument doing parts, things like that. But I always… you know… slowly I brought the
voice in. I’ve never seen myself, and I don’t, as just a singer. I’m not a singer. I’m a
pianist, a composer. But I can sing something here and there. Not like a singer with a
powerful voice, but in my own style, in my own way. You know, putting my feelings through
a tune. Yeah, I’ll do that. No problem, right?
No, what was happening was that every time I performed, my fans, afterward, always
asked, "Is there going to be some day when you’re going to sing a little more? We’d
love to hear you sing. Can you sing one for us please? Sing one for us please. Is there
going to be a day when you are going to do a special project, an album singing, just so we
can hear your voice?" This has been happening for years, and I had already recorded
my tribute to Jobim, years ago when he was alive. I like tributes to be done for people
when they are alive, more than after the fact—they appreciate things then. But I got
to a point where I felt like, "Ah, I’ve done solo piano, the duets with Herbie,
things as a composer, recordings where I used synthesizers. I’ve done trio playing. The Three
Americas was something different. I’m known to be very diverse. My CD’s are very
different—one from the other. And why? because all those sides are genuine sides,
they are true sides of me. You know, I am Brazilian. There are some recordings that are
Brazilian. I’m a jazz player. Yes, I’m a classical player. I have a classical CD. So I
felt that I wanted to do an album singing. Not a statement of "Here’s a singer,"
but here’s how I’m thinking, okay? And when I decided to do that, what came to my mind
was, "Who do I know best as a composer? What music can I do well, something that I’m
very comfortable with? Ahh… Jobim." So, no, I wasn’t forced.
Brazzil—Your vocals are beautiful on "Falando de Amor."
Eliane—Oh, you know, I think it’s such a beautiful tune, so much Brazil and
not something that has been done a lot. But if you noticed, I chose an interesting
combination of tunes. Some are very well known, but a lot of them are obscure tunes that I
felt I should bring to the people here in the United States. And "Falando de
Amor" is a special tune. The lyrics are so beautiful. I really love that one. It’s
very, very… It’s almost like that Brazilian nostalgia.
Brazzil—Are you bothered by comparisons to Astrud Gilberto?
Eliane—You know, that was the first statement I made. People compare to what
they know. If that’s what they know, that’s what they are going to say. You know, I had…
I’m not even going to repeat that one… When I first recorded, people would say,
"Oh, Tania Maria." Tania is great, but she has nothing to do with my work.
People compare with what they know. Again, we have to understand that Astrud had a big hit
here. She made "The Girl From Ipanema" with Stan Getz, a very famous song in
this country. That recording is actually very special. Internationally it was Jobim’s
biggest hit. Astrud is Brazilian and also has a kind of soft, hoarse voice, so people will
say, "Oh, Eliane sounds like that." People tend to associate and it’s okay.
Brazzil—After listening to "Modinha" on the new CD I went back
and listened to versions by Zizi Possi, Ney Matogrosso, Elis, and even the one you did
with Joe Henderson. It’s almost like a rite of passage for players to cover this tune.
Eliane—"Modinha"? Yeah, you know, I think that tune is so beautiful,
so special. I like the tune a lot. I did a piano treatment for it and an introduction. You
can hear some of my classical there. You can hear Brazil there. All I can say is that I
usually search the deepest place in my heart when I’m working, and I love this tune. It’s
a very difficult song to sing. It has a very large vocal extension, really, really a big
extension for the voice. It’s demanding, and I feel very proud about the way it came out.
Brazzil—My favorite track on the new CD is "A Felicidade."
Eliane—Oh yeah. It came out nice didn’t it?
Brazzil—That’s the one! Such a great groove, and Brecker sounds.
Eliane—He sounds great. Oh yeah!
Brazzil—Was the recording atmosphere any different for this track?
Eliane—Well, I always try to keep, as I do in every tune, the authenticity. My
idea was that Brecker would be almost like a samba school on saxophone. Rhythmically that
was the idea. Also harmonically there are some things that I changed that came out nicely.
I just worked the arrangement in a certain way, you know, I used some modulations, some
different colors.
Brazzil—Tell me.
Eliane—Well, if you really pay attention to the places when it goes to the
verses there are a couple of modulations. When I come into (sings) Tristeza não tem
fim, it’s in one key, then it modulates to another. Then something interesting happens
with (sings) Felicidade sim. A felicidade é como a. It goes down. It’s really in
order to get the key for me because it was a big extension, and it’s very interesting. You
have to listen for it. You’ll hear it.
Brazzil—Which tune was the hardest to record?
Eliane—If you mean hard in terms of singing, there are some songs that were
hard in general, and they took a lot of my concentration and preparation, but they came
out really nice, "Ano Dourado" (Looks Like December), for example. When Jobim
recorded that tune, he sang a part that was very low, and a female choir sang the very
high part. It has another huge extension and the phrasing is not easy. "Falando de
Amor" is another tune that… It wasn’t physical, but I wanted to capture all this
emotion. I did the take for "Esquecendo Você" playing the piano and singing,
and I played a piano solo.
It’s a very special tune and wasn’t hard, but it is a tune I love. And while recording,
I started crying, "Ooooh!" When I came out they were all saying, "It’s
beautiful!" But I said, "No! I cried. I don’t want to have that on a
record!" They were screaming, "Are you crazy? With that much emotion, you’re not
going to touch this!" It took me a minute to let go, to share that much emotion, to
let people have something that I was putting so much into; but it’s there.
Brazzil—You’ve started to play a circuit of Performing Arts Centers. How
do these venues affect a performance differently than the clubs and jazz festivals?
Eliane—Well, I must say that every performance is different. There is always a
difference. When you play a club, it’s a very intimate atmosphere, and it can be a lot of
fun. When you play a concert hall, it’s also great though the communication with the
audience is on a different level. But the sound, you know… it’s inspiring. I think
playing the outdoor festivals is the hardest thing for a piano trio. It’s not hard for me,
but if it’s too hot, the piano gets out of tune, and the sound, the acoustics, are usually
problematic. Unless the sound people are really together and they have really great, great
equipment, they tend to over-amplify the acoustic instruments. Many times they have great
equipment, but they don’t have a great sound person; or they have a great sound person,
but they don’t have the equipment.
So, I very much enjoy playing the theaters, and I’ve never had a problem, whether the
audience is coming to see me because they know Eliane or they’re coming to check me out
for the first time. It’s hard to find better sound than the concert halls. In other
respects, I can’t say that the performing arts circuits are doing anything that is so
different. If people like music, I know that they are going to enjoy the show, and it’s
going to be great. And if they don’t like music then they don’t go to the theaters
(laughs). Most of the time it’s just great. But every performance is very, very different.
Brazzil—Getting back to Blue Note, you know Herbie recorded for Blue
Note and Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner…
Eliane—Jazz history.
Brazzil—Yea, they’ve always had the reputation for finding, recognizing,
and recording the talent before someone else did. I noticed that other Blue Note pianists
like Chucho Valdés and Gonzalo Rubalcaba have also started playing the Performing Arts
circuit. Was this something encouraged by Blue Note or was it something these artists
individually decided?
Eliane—Well, I think it’s not even a matter of you deciding. I think many
musicians would like to get into the circle. It’s difficult to get into. But it does not
have anything to do with Blue Note hooking us up. Of course, they love to see their
artists performing. I think every company would like to see their artists touring as much
as they can and being out there playing the music. The best way to promote a CD is to be
out there playing. There’s nothing like touring, but Blue Note doesn’t hook me up with
that. There is an agency that I have been associated with that specializes in working with
the performing arts programs.
Brazzil—You’ve obviously paid your dues in the predominantly male world
of jazz, so I was wondering if you are bothered at all by the way Blue Note packages your
recordings. You know, the covers always portray you as this sexy Brazilian babe with the
bedroom-eyes in the off the shoulder outfits?
Eliane—Well, first of all, I thank you for saying that. But I don’t perceive
it that way. I don’t think they try to make me more or less beautiful. If you meet me, if
you go to my performances, I look like I look. I look like the covers. And after all, I
could just wear jeans and a shirt, but my face is my face. I mean, it’s unusual enough to
be a woman in jazz, but it’s even more unusual to be a blonde Brazilian, white woman jazz
musician with an attractive face, and then on top of that, with a nice figure. People say,
"The record company is doing that," but Blue Note doesn’t make me look like
that. I look like that if you meet me on the street. I like to dress, you know, I like
to… How can I say this? I’m not a person who wears executive suits. I dress, you know,
in mini skirts… I’m Brazilian!
So, they haven’t done anything. I think the Sings Jobim cover is beautiful. The
blue is radiant; it’s very Brazil. I mean, okay, the face looks good. Well okay, thank you
if you think it looks good. But there has never been anything that insinuates… Ah, you
know… I can guarantee you that when it comes down to it, Blue Note doesn’t keep any
artist for an album cover. They have dropped so many artists. The music is what has to
sell, and it has to communicate with people in order to sell. And if it doesn’t then…
Obviously, they prefer that I look good than I don’t. Maybe ten years from now the covers
will be just like the all other ones you see (laughs). They probably will be like that
later on, but right now I enjoy saying, "Oh, okay, it looks nice for people,"
and I’m proud.
Brazzil—Do you have any unfulfilled goals as a player or composer?
Eliane—Oh yea, many things.
Brazzil—Tell me.
Eliane—But I don’t want to tell you (laughs). I’ll give you all my ideas. No,
I’m kidding. There are many things that I’d like to do. I’d love to record with an
orchestra. I haven’t done that. I’d love to do that.
Brazzil—Like a concerto?
Eliane—No, no, like piano trio and orchestra. I’d love to do that. I’m doing
something now that I’ve always wanted to do. I’m recording six of my own compositions with
a twenty-two piece big band. Bob Brookmeyer did all the arrangements. It’s one of the
things I’ve wanted to do because I love big bands too. I’d like to expand my group and go
into more quintet and sextet playing, which I’m starting to do, especially live. I’d also
like to write for string quartet. Oh, there are so many things. And I’m about to do
another classical record. There is so much Villa-Lobos that I want to record. This is what
is really so great about musicians. The time passes and there is always something more
that you want to do, and that keeps you going. If I told you, "No, there’s nothing
more that I want to do," then I’d be done. I hope it all happens. You know, I hope I
get the chance.
Brazzil—Will the big band recording be coming out soon?
Eliane—It’s going to come out probably within the next six months.
Brazzil—On Blue Note?
Eliane—No, I didn’t do it for Blue Note. I recorded in Europe.
Brazzil—Can you tell me the label?
Eliane—Not yet, because we’re signing now. I cannot tell you when it will be
out until I receive the contracts.
Brazzil—What do you think is most important for up-and-coming jazz
players to focus on today?
Eliane—You know, I still believe that success is a combination, which I can’t
explain in a few words. But it’s a combination of talent, effort, and personality. I think
it’s very important for young players to study conventional theory, to become familiar
with all the jazz vocabulary, and to absorb the music of jazz’s major influences—the
different ways, the different approaches. But I also think that trying to develop their
own voice is something very, very, important—and that happens with time— because
there are so many musicians. Many of the greatest players could be recognized before they
were widely respected artists. I’m sure if you heard a tape of Herbie Hancock when he was
fifteen years old, you’d know that was a young Herbie. There was something there already,
and he developed it. I think that’s very important. It’s perseverance; it’s dedication.
It’s a combination of all that and, of course, talent.
Brazzil—Eliane, do your students at Manhattan School of Music ever ask
you about the implications of a life dedicated to earning a living from music?
Eliane—They are anxious about what they are going to do when they graduate.
They are definitely anxious. But I tell them, "People are different, and there are
many careers in music. Not everyone coming out of a great music college is going to be a
great performer, a jazz player. There are some that are going to be teachers. There are
some who are going to write scores," you know? There are so many different things
that one can do with music. I think they would all like to be performing artists, but
there are other things that they can do with their music. That’s what I tell them.
"Just keep working on it. Keep your eyes open for what you can do. Hopefully, you
will establish yourself." It’s not easy; not every musician coming out of a college
is going to become established as a performing musician.
Brazzil—If you had to create a list of required listening for students
of jazz piano at the university level, which three recordings would definitely be on that
list?
Eliane—You know, I don’t like answering that kind of question. Let me tell you
why. If you wanted to know what three recordings I like or that influenced my playing the
most, I could try to think of three that were among my collection. But depending on the
level of the student, what they need to listen to could be completely different. Students
who need to work on their bebop might have to listen to Bud Powell. To those students who
need work on the melodic or harmonic aspects of their playing I might say, "Let’s
work on Bill Evans." And to the one who doesn’t know how to place eighth notes, you
know, how to swing, I might say, "Okay, let’s hear this." You see, it depends on
the individual student, so it would be a funny quote. You know what I mean?
Brazzil—Completely, yeah. Eliane, what was the most important lesson you
learned from Amilton Godoy?
Eliane—Oh, I studied everything. I started when I was thirteen, and I studied
it all. He was a great man. If I would tell you about him, it would take two or three
hours just to explain what we did. He’s a great teacher. He really went searching and
searching, for me especially; he saw some talent. I was different from other students
because I went very quickly. I finished the program when I was fifteen. I just devoured
everything I could. When I went to Amilton, I was already transcribing the great solos of
all the great jazz pianists and playing along with them. You know, copying down, I mean,
writing, writing. But, he developed my vocabulary. He gave me the skills and all the
theory. Really, it was unbelievable, a great, great experience.
Brazzil—I can’t even imagine a musician in the U.S. who plays choro
going to Rio and establishing a career, but in a sense, you did something similar when you
came to New York. Was it hard to make the transition from playing in Brazil to the scene
in the United States?
Eliane—No, not really. It was easy. That’s what I had been preparing for. It
was who I was and when I could finally be what I was (laughs). It really was what I
wanted. When I was playing at home, I’d ask myself, "Where am I going to do this? In
Rio?" I mean, "Let me go to the U.S." It was no problem. When I came up
here, I was already playing straight ahead and was probably listening to more straight
ahead than any American keyboard player. I had a huge collection at home, and I had been
devouring it.
Brazzil—Did you see many similarities between São Paulo and New York?
Eliane—Oh, incredible how many. I felt so comfortable in New York, although I
didn’t speak English. But I felt that it was a city that I could always like. São Paulo
is so huge. I mean, New York looked like a little town with little numbers. If you stay in
Manhattan, you see streets that have little numbers and avenues. It was so small and not
at all threatening to me. I constantly hear about Americans who speak the language, who
were born here, and who are afraid of New York City. They must come from a calmer
environment and a different kind of… São Paulo is a huge metropolis, cosmopolitan.
There was no difference.
Brazzil—What did you study at Juilliard with Olegna Fuschi? Did you want
to be a concert pianist?
Eliane—No, I never intended to be a concert pianist. I always had classical
lessons in order to thoroughly develop my technique. With Olegna I did some great work
approaching the piano as a string instrument more than a percussion instrument. We worked
with the concept of legato playing.
Brazzil—Are there any schools in Brazil similar to Berklee School of
Music?
Eliane—Yes, the one I went to. CLAM—Centro Livre de Aprendizagem Musical,
which means Free Center of Musical Apprenticeship.
Brazzil—Has your approach changed since your tenure with Steps Ahead?
Eliane—Sure. We are always in transformation. People are in constant mutation.
We change. I think the core of the musician is the same, but I think the approach does
change. It may be the same person, the same heart and intention, but there is a maturity.
There are different experiences. Yes, it has changed.
Brazzil—Eliane, aside from music, what are you passions?
Eliane—(laughs) Ah, you know, music is a great passion. Music also is my
profession, so there are times that I need to get a little bit away from the piano, but
not from music. I love nature, so I go to the country. I have a country home in the
Hamptons, and I like going there. I swim. I connect with nature, the plants. I listen to
the birds. It’s just something special that I like. I like yoga. And I travel so much that
when I actually have time off, I like best just to be home. I like to cook. You know, a
nice meal, very simple, not anything extravagant. I like the simplicity of life and nature
and a nice meal. I cannot do a lot of sports. I cannot play tennis. I cannot play
volleyball because of my wrists, because of my hands. Those are things I can’t do. But I
love spending time with my daughter, Amanda. She’s fourteen and doing things with her, you
know, it’s just great.
Brazzil—I know that your grandmother wrote chorinhos and your
mother was a concert pianist. Would you be disappointed if Amanda didn’t pursue a career
in music?
Eliane—No, you know, as a mother, all that I want for her is that she does
something that she loves, that she’s happy with. I’m sure that when you love what you do,
you become successful. Success transpires through what you do with heart; it shows in your
work. And if Amanda decides not to be a musician, that means that she didn’t have that
love for music, the enthusiasm about it; and that’s fine. I wouldn’t want her to do what
she doesn’t want to do. But she’s so talented. Playing great too.
Brazzil—She has a good teacher.
Eliane—Yes, but I’m not her teacher. I don’t believe in… not even at this
age. They have to get it from outside. What I can teach her she can hear. I mean it’s in
her. I’ll teach her other things when she gets older.
Brazzil—Do you think Amanda’s relationship with her parents is different
from other kids who have parents with demanding careers? (2)
Eliane—Oh, I’m sure. I think it’s different having parents who are artists,
who are people that work with their creativity all the time. And there is a certain
sensibility to that. There is something that she is exposed to. The kind of life that she
has… Yes, it’s different. Our relationship is a very close one because when we’re home,
we’re really home. I’m with her and she’s part of that environment, the creative
environment that surrounds us. She understands that and is a big part of it herself.
Brazzil—Is there anything I haven’t asked that you would like to pass on
to the readers?
Eliane—No! (laughs) You’ve asked me more than I’m usually asked in interviews.
(laughs) I think you covered it all.
Brazzil—Great. Thank you so much, Eliane. It was a pleasure.
Eliane—For me too. Yes, thank you.
|
A Felicidade
Tom Jobim/Vinícius de Moraes Tristeza não tem fim A felicidade é como a gota A felicidade do pobre parece Tristeza não tem fim A felicidade é como a pluma A minha felicidade está sonhando |
Happiness
Tom Jobim/Vinícius de Moraes Sadness has no end Happiness is like a drop The happiness of the poor seems to be Sadness has no end Happiness is like a feather My happiness is dreaming |
|
Tom Jobim/Vinícius de Moraes Não! Não pode mais meu coração Vai, triste canção |
Love Song No! No it cannot be my heart Go, sad song |
|
Esquecendo Você Tom Jobim Eu vou ter que passar minha vida cantando uma só canção Eu vou ter que esquecer seu sorriso e o pranto dos olhos meus Eu vou ter que esquecer minha vida |
Forgetting You
I have to spend my life singing only one song I have to forget your smile and my weeping eyes I have to forget my life |
|
Desafinado Tom Jobim/Newton Mendonça Se você insiste em classificar Só não poderá falar assim do meu amor |
Out of Tune
If you insist on categorizing You cannot talk this way about my love |
Selected Discography
Title …………………………….Label ……………..Year
Sings Jobim …………………Blue Note ………..1998
Three Americas ……………Blue Note ……….1997
Solos and Duets…………… Blue Note ………1995
Paulistana ……………………Blue Note ………1993
On The Classical Side …….EMI Classics ….1993
Fantasia………………………. Blue Note ………1992
Long Story……………………. Blue Note ………1991
Plays Jobim…………………… Blue Note……… 1990
So Far So Close……………… Blue Note ………1989
Cross Currents……………….. Denon Records. 1987
Illusions …………………………..Denon Records. 1986
Selected Discography on sessions with other artists
Artist ……………………Title ………………………..Label …………..Year
Various Artists ……….Wave: The Antonio …….Verve…………. 1996
…………………………….Carlos Jobim Songbook
Joe Henderson……….. Double Rainbow ………..Verve ………….1995
Michael Franks……….. Abandoned Garden ……Warner Bros. ..1995
The Brecker Brothers.. Out Of The Loop ………GRP Records ..1994
Toots Thielemans……… The Brasil Project, Vol. II Private Music. 1993
Toots Thielemans ………The Brasil Project………..Private Music …1992
Toninho Horta …………..Once I Loved ……………..Verve ………….1992
Ivo Perelman……………… IVO ………………………..K2B2 Records .1990
Peter Erskine………………. Motion Poet…………….Denon Records ..1988
Randy Brecker/ ……………Amanda ……………….Passport Records ..1986
Eliane Elias
Steps Ahead …………………Steps Ahead………………. Elektra……….. 1983
1. The group V.S.O.P. was formed under the aegis of Herbie Hancock in the mid-’70’s,
when he wanted a vacation from fusion; the line-up was the classic mid-’60’s Miles
quintet—Herbie, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Ron Carter, with Freddie Hubbard
filling the Miles seat on trumpet. They recorded three albums on CBS, (usually listed
under Hancock’s name) one an import-only Japanese concert. The group’s success as a draw
on the live circuit in the late ’70’s lead directly to major labels dumping their fusion
rosters and looking seriously at acoustic jazz again. Wynton Marsalis and the other young
suits soon followed, a rather mixed blessing, if you ask me.
2. Amanda’s father is jazz trumpet great Randy Brecker.
Bruce Gilman, music editor for Brazzil, received his Masters degree
in music from California Institute of the Arts. He leads the Brazilian jazz ensemble Axé
and plays cuíca for escola de samba MILA. You can reach him through his
e-mail: cuica@interworld.net
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