Kissed by Nature

Dreamer On Dreamer, São Paulo-born, Manhattan-based pianist Eliane Elias performs bossa novas and brush-stroked ballads by North and South American composers from Johnny Mercer to Antonio Carlos Jobim. This project is a sort of musical homecoming for Elias, who once worked with bossa no...	Something for You: Elaine Elias Sings & Plays Bill Evans	Sings Jobim	Everything I Love Pianist and singer Elaine Elias's Everything I Love, a foray into the classic American songbook, is a departure for the Brazilian-born pianist, whose previous releases have mostly covered the music of her native country (as on the excellent Eliane Elias Sings Jobim). But Elias so...	Eliane Elias Plays Jobim The Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias is an ideal interpreter for the music of her compatriot Antonio Carlos Jobim. She's attuned to both its melodic and rhythmic nuances, and she's a potent improviser, able to develop Jobim's often graceful melodies and put her own stamp on them. D...
Around the City Pianist Eliane Elias goes from bop and Bach to bossa nova just as easily as she sings in English and Portuguese. This CD is the sequel to her 2004 recording, Dreamer, and it features bassist Marc Johnson, guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves, flutist Dave Valentin, and trumpeter Randy Br...	The Three Americas Eliane Elias lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, until she was 20 and has lived in New York City ever since. The 37-year-old jazz pianist has often combined Brazilian bossa nova and North American swing with appealing results, but now she has added Cuban songo, Argentine tango, and Puert...	Brazilian Classics	The Best of Eliane Elias, Vol. 1: Originals The beautiful pianist Eliane Elias, who stole the show on the documentary and soundtrack Calle 54, arrived in this country from Sao Paulo, Brazil, in the early '80s, performed with the group Steps Ahead and recorded for the Blue Note label. This CD is comprised of selected tracks...	Bossa Nova Stories Now based in New York, Eliane Elias was born in Sao Paolo and grew up as a child prodigy on the piano during the 60's when Bossa Nova was conquering the world. Following the critically acclaimed Blue Note album "Eliane Sings and Plays Bill Evans" and 2 sold out shows at London...

Gorgeous
I have almost every release by this unique and major Brazilian-New York talent, and this recording I think is her most timeless and wonderful - and my favorite. Every track is a modern jazz-samba jewel, overflowing with stunning harmonic piano verve and the most exquisitely melodic vocals. While all the tracks are standouts, deserving of special mention are the fabulous title track, the transcendent A Volta, the beautiful Aparecceu, the intensely melodic Perere and the swinging Djavan Medley. Highly recommended!

One Of Elaine's Best
"Kissed By Nature" was released in 2002 by Blue Note Records and stands as one of pianist Elaine Elias' best work to date. Many people complain about her vocals, but I don't find them annoying or distracting. I do agree, however, that her voice is not that strong and it's strengths are on ballads and not so much on uptempo tunes, but again, her voice isn't an issue for me. This recording has several selling points for me. The two main ones being the songs "October" and "September" featuring Randy Brecker on trumpet and flugelhorn. I always knew Randy had some remarkable lyricism, but you wouldn't ever know judging by his own discography. Brecker simply surprised me on these compositions. His tone had such a delicate beauty. The other reason to get this album is hear one of the finest post-bop pianists in the past 20 years. She is truly a master of her instrument and plays with so much emotion and feeling. It's a constant joy to hear her play. Elaine is joined by a stellar cast of musicians: Rick Margitza (tenor saxophone); Randy Brecker (trumpet, flugellhorn); Marc Johnson (bass); Paul Braga, and Joey Baron (drums, percussion). All of the musicians are outstanding and lend great support to Elias. If you're new Elias' music don't hesitate to pick up a copy of this record. You will not be sorry.

Eliane Elias continues to show how great she really is
Kissed by Nature is simply one beautiful album. Her vocals and playing are just stunning. One reviewer has noted something to the effect that she's maturing into a truly great artist -- a master if you will -- and I totally concur. Note that she's also the producer of her work, so this is a musician who knows what she wants her sound to be and she's really nailed it with Kissed by Nature. All I can say is 5 stars, 5 stars plus.

A Superb Kiss
As the other reviewers state , this is a very good combination of World Music through the voice of Eliane and her masterful hands . Bill Evans would have liked her playing and singing . Another reason to enjoy it . I do ...

Like if Bill Evans could also sing
As an old Bill Evans fan and also a bossa nova/samba fan, I was pleased to find out about Elaine Elias. She combines both styles seamlessly. That's a very high compliment, because Evans was never involved in bossa nova or latin music. If you're a Bill Evans fan, check her out. Her basist, Marc Johnson, was the basist in Bill Evans's last trio.