Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 106 - Bossa Nova Jazz Songs and Classic Albums

Bossa Nova Jazz Part VI

Continuing from the previous post, where I explored jazz through the lens of recommended bossa nova pieces, this time, I present a complete Bossa Nova Jazz Part VI.

A Pianist’s Answer to Jobim’s Music Through the Jazz Idiom

Last time, I focused on how Brazilian musicians interpret Jobim’s compositions, featuring Mario Adnet, a musician closely associated with Jobim.
This time, I’m going to spotlight Eliane Elias, a Brazilian pianist deeply devoted to Jobim and a close acquaintance of his.

Eliane Elias - A Quintessential Jazz Pianist

Eliane Elias is a jazz pianist and vocalist from Brazil, known for her exceptionally refined piano technique, which exudes clarity.
At the same time, when she sings bossa nova, her voice and vocal skills are unparalleled—almost as if her Brazilian heritage gives her a natural affinity for the genre.

While touring in Paris, she was discovered by bassist Eddie Gomez, who had performed with Bill Evans, and subsequently joined the jazz band Steps Ahead.
In 1983, she married trumpeter Randy Brecker, one-half of the Brecker Brothers, and released her solo album Amanda under his production. The album is named after Amanda, the daughter she and Randy Brecker had together.
After their divorce, she married bassist Marc Johnson, whose influence brought her even closer to jazz in her musical approach.

My First Encounter with Eliane Elias

The first time I heard Eliane’s music was through Steps, Eddie Gomez’s band.
It wasn’t from a CD but rather a DVD featuring her performing inside a castle among a group of rugged men.
While rooted in jazz, her music had a distinct flavor that set it apart from mainstream jazz, evoking a sense of new possibilities within the genre. Most memorable was the image of a young and beautiful pianist playing with dazzling energy—that was Eliane Elias.

■ Recommended Album: Eliane Elias - Eliane Elias Plays Jobim (1989)

This was Eliane’s first album dedicated to Jobim’s music.
Her jazz pianist skills are showcased through Jobim’s compositions, with flawless execution that makes her interpretations uniquely her own. It’s hard to imagine anyone else expressing Jobim’s music with such technical prowess and individuality. Considering that she released this album in her twenties, her talent is simply breathtaking.

Recommended Song: “Desafinado”

A key track from the iconic album Getz/Gilberto featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The song itself serves as a perfect musical canvas, and Eliane’s piano swings intensely in an energetic 4-beat jazz style.
Although Desafinado means ‘off-key’ or ‘out of tune’, there isn’t a single off-note in this trio performance. The outro is pure Eliane at her peak—this is Jobim Jazz at its finest!

Recommended Song: “Dindi”

One of Jobim’s most famous pieces. The introduction features Eliane’s piano play that evokes a delicate watercolor painting, using space and nuance beautifully. Dindi was Jobim’s nickname for Brazilian singer Sylvia Telles. The song gained popularity among jazz singers after Frank Sinatra and Jobim recorded it in English on their 1967 duo album.
Particularly noteworthy is the transition from a bass solo to the theme, which expands the song’s emotional depth. Immediately afterward, the rhythm shifts into a blues-tinged piano performance, demonstrating an ingenious arrangement and a fresh interpretation of Jobim’s music.

■ Recommended Album: Eliane Elias - A Long Story (1992)

A continuation of Eliane’s exploration of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s jazz legacy. Not all songs on the album are by Jobim—perhaps for variety, she also includes a medley of songs by Milton Nascimento, a musician from Bahia. With vocals included, this serves as a great accent to the album’s overall feel.

Recommended Song: “The Girl from Ipanema”

The intro is so intricate that it’s hard to recognize the song at first! But once Eliane’s piano ‘sings’ the melody, you’re instantly transported into Eliane’s world. Her unique approach to melody and the way she utilizes musical space heightens the true atmosphere of bossa nova.
A stunning jazz rendition of “The Girl from Ipanema”.

Recommended Song: “Wave”

A perfect example of how “Wave” sounds when played in a piano trio format. Instead of a standard 4-beat rhythm, it takes on a Latin jazz approach reminiscent of “A Night in Tunisia”.
Eliane’s signature light and crisp touch keeps the performance fresh, without any sense of heaviness or excess humidity.

Artists, Albums, and Recommended Tracks Featured in This Article

• Artist: Eliane Elias
• Albums: Eliane Elias Plays Jobim, A Long Story
• Tracks: “Desafinado”, “Dindi”, “The Girl from Ipanema”, “Wave”

⇨ List of Pianos/Synthesizers

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