Throughout her illustrious 16-year recording career as a leader, Eliane Elias has documented her passion for jazz as well as explored the music of her Brazilian homeland in a jazz context. Born and raised in São Paulo and based in New York, the pianist / vocalist / composer has performed in a range of settings, from straight-ahead jazz to free-style improvisation, and has offered distinctive renditions of a variety of Brazil’s music, including intricate bossa nova and moving interpretations of classic tunes by her country’s great songwriters. The Grammy-nominated Elias is heralded as one of jazz’s finest pianists who, as MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide so aptly puts it, "not only understands how to make great music, but has [the] wisdom, confidence and perseverance to keep it happening." After recording a series of fine albums for Blue Note Records, Elias makes her Bluebird Jazz debut with the sumptuous Kissed by Nature, a 13-track collection comprised of ten original vocal and instrumental compositions, a medley of two tunes by Brazilian songwriter Djavan and two bonus track remixes produced by the popular Brazilian DJ team BossaCucaNova. She expands her musical vision by adding new textures, colors and shapes to her compositions, while at the same time continues to exercise her prowess as a pianist and vocalist. "This time, instead of creating an album of pianistic virtuosity, I set out to create music that is beautiful as well as artistically engaging." The result is a CD of coolly romantic and reflective ballads and swinging upbeat cookers that accentuate soul over dazzle, sublime beauty over showy technique. Infused with Brazilian music influences and buoyed by the leader’s command of jazz improvisation, Kissed by Nature features Elias’ highly personal and expressive piano playing combined with her soft, sensuous vocals that complement her instrumental phrasing. "I wasn’t planning to sing as much as I do on this record, but that’s the direction the album took while I was writing," says Elias, who notes that many of the numbers were inspired by nature. "I wrote most of these songs when I was at my home in country. I’m in the woods, close to the beach. It is a beautiful setting. The tunes reflect that." Elias says that her sixteen years working with Blue Note were artistically and personally rewarding. But when her contract expired, she decided to explore other recording possibilities. She opted to sign with the RCA Victor Group earlier this year. "I liked the idea of recording for Bluebird Jazz because it’s a boutique label that has a great history and catalog," says Elias, who adds that she knew both David Weyner, RCA Victor Group’s Executive Vice President/General Manager, and Stephen Ferrera, who works in RCA’s A&R department, when they were at other labels. "We were interested in working together on some new projects." One of the ideas discussed while Elias was working on Kissed by Nature was developing some electronic remixes. "I said I’d have to see if I liked what the DJs came up with," she says. "I listened to a couple of records by BossaCucaNova and I liked their approach. Then when I heard their remixes of two of my songs, afterwards I thought that maybe I should have written more of those types of tunes. They’re so good." The two vocal remix tracks The upbeat title number and the equally rhythmic "Balancê" with sophisticated rhythm-drive grooves. "I’m very pleased with what they did." Elias began playing the piano at an early age, immersing herself in the music of her country as well as studying the works of jazz icons and the classical piano literature. She performed in local jazz and bossa nova clubs, taught piano and master classes while simultaneously continuing her music studies. Her introduction to the international music world came when, at the age of 17, she started working with two of the most respected artists in Brazil, Toquinho and Vinicius de Moraes. Inspired by the jazz scene in the U.S. and encouraged by jazz bassist Eddie Gomez whom she met in Paris, Elias moved to New York City in 1981. In 1983 she became a member of the jazz-fusion group Steps Ahead and then launched her solo recording career in 1986. Over the years Elias has received numerous jazz poll awards (including the "Best New Talent" in the 1988 Jazziz poll) and garnered a Grammy nomination for "Best Solo Jazz Performance" (for her 1995 album Solos and Duets with Herbie Hancock, which was described by Musician magazine as "a landmark in piano duo history"). Recently Elias was a featured performer in Calle 54, director Fernando Trueba’s documentary film on Latin jazz. The soundtrack album was nominated for a 2001 Grammy in the Best Latin Jazz Album category. In the same year, Elias was also nominated for a Grammy in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category for her album Impulsive! with Bob Brookmeyer and the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra. People Magazine has applauded her career, noting that "she is the rare vocalist who is even stronger as an instrumentalist and is crossing boundaries with increasing elan." MusicHound Jazz notes that Elias is "a powerful two-handed linear pianist whose fleeting lines are punctuated with chords and varied by altering dynamics, diverse phrasing ideas and a wide range of moods and emotions." She is also renowned as one of the foremost interpreters of the Antonio Carlos Jobim songbook (documented on her two albums Eliane Elias Plays Jobim and Eliane Elias Sings Jobim). On Kissed by Nature, Elias has assembled a solid support team: bassist Marc Johnson (who also co-produced the album with her), drummers Joey Baron and Paulo Braga (who both contribute percussion) and, on a couple of tracks, the horn team of trumpeter/flugelhornist Randy Brecker and tenor saxophonist Rick Margitza. "Marc is an exceptional bassist. We work really well together and have great musical affinity. I like playing with Joey because he’s so unique, so sensitive, so creative. And Paulo is one of Brazil’s greatest drummers. He brings a special authenticity and sensitivity to the music." Elias says that many of the songs came ready-made. "I love those moments when the inspiration is there and the tune just comes," she says. "Kissed by Nature" was one such gift (and was one of the last songs she composed for the album), as was the gently percussive, whispered-vocal number "A Volta", which translated from the Portuguese means "waiting for a return." "It’s a love song, just like most of these tunes. It came to me while I was returning home one gorgeous winter day." There are several reflective gems on the CD, including the ballad "Apareceu", the lyrical "Where Did You Go", the sobering "October" (featuring Brecker on dramatic muted trumpet) and the bucolic "September" (with Brecker playing the flugelhorn with a hushed feel) songs composed a couple of years ago for a quintet project in Denmark. The more groove-oriented tunes include the soulful "Luar" with its bossa nova/choro feel, the wordless-vocals beauty "Pererê" and the joyous medley of Djavan’s "Fato Consumado" and "Dobrado" (which represents the first time she has recorded the Brazilian songwriter's material). Other highlights include the rhythmic "Balancê" from Bahia who caresses the waves that features Elias’ alluring piano harmonies and her sultry vocals her home spiced by clapping rhythms and Braga’s percussion. "I wrote this song with my mother over the phone while she was in Brazil and I was home in New York," Elias says. "We wrote it without the piano, just singing the melody and words together back and forth. I love it because of its simplicity, its message of hope and endurance and of course the fantastic Brazilian groove." A triumph from the first tune to the last remix, Kissed by Nature not only ups the ante in Eliane Elias’ career as a top-notch jazz musician but also introduces her to a new generation of listeners. September 2002 For booking, contact: EMMECI