Born on the 19th March 1960 in São Paulo, Brazil, Elias started learning to play the piano at the age of seven, and was transcribing solo portions of her parents’ jazz records by the age of twelve.
After studying for six years (and teaching by the age of fifteen) at Brazil’s prestigious Free Centre of Music Apprenticeship, she continued her classical education with Amilton Godoy and Amaral Vieria. She was also the protégé of Vinicius de Moraes, lyricist and songwriting partner of Antonio Carlos Jobim, a huge influence on Elias' work, and master of the Brazilian bossa nova movement. By the time she was seventeen years old she was touring with the best bossa nova composers and interpreters, composing her own pieces and performing at jazz clubs regularly.
Elias then moved to New York and studied privately with Olegna Fuschi at the Julliard School of Music, eventually joining jazz supergroup Steps Ahead (whose members included Eddie Gomez, Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, and Mike Mainieri).
Her first live instrumental recording, Eliane Elias Plays Live, was recorded in Amsterdam on the 31st May 2002, and digitally released in the USA in 2010.
Elias lives in New York City with her husband, bassist Marc Johnson.
* Official site
The classical tradition meets the spontaneity of jazz through the virtuosic playing of Brazil-born and New York-based pianist Eliane Elias. A former member of jazz ensemble Steps Ahead, Elias has continued to explore two distinct musical streams through her solo recordings and her performances since the mid-'80s. In 1993, she became one of the few artists to release jazz and classical albums simultaneously. In a review of a concert in her homeland, Brazil magazine praised Elias for "her dazzling right-hand runs, executed often at frightening speeds. Her command of the keyboard was total. Her harmonic sensibility caused a sense of wonderment."
Elias may have inherited at least some of her musical talents from her mother, Lucy, a classical pianist who often played jazz records in the family home. After studying for six years at the Free Center of Music Apprenticeship in São Paulo, she continued to study classical technique with Amilton Godoy and Amaral Vieira. By her teens, Elias was composing her own pieces and performing in jazz clubs. While touring in Europe in 1981, she met jazz bassist Eddie Gomez and was encouraged to travel to New York. Arriving in the Big Apple the following year, she studied privately with Olegna Fuschi at the Juilliard School of Music. Elias' professional career received a boost when she was invited to join Steps Ahead, a jazz "supergroup" featuring Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Mike Manieri, and Eddie Gomez. She recorded one album with the group -- Steps Ahead -- in 1983. Shortly after leaving Steps Ahead, Elias began collaborating with trumpet player Randy Brecker, whom she subsequently married but later divorced. Their sole duo album, released in 1985, was named after their daughter Amanda. The following year, Elias launched her career as a bandleader. Since then, she's alternated tours with two different trios, one featuring drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Gomez and the other featuring drummer Erskine and her current husband, bassist Marc Johnson. Elias has also performed with a third trio, featuring Johnson on bass and Satoshi Takeishi on drums.
She signed with Blue Note in 1989, and released her debut for the label, So Far So Close, the same year with a slew of guests. While most of her recordings have been instrumental, Elias introduced her soft but coarse vocals on her 1990 album Eliane Elias Plays Jobim, and has employed vocals on occasion ever since. Her 1995 album Solos and Duets featured a brilliantly executed duet with Herbie Hancock. In addition to working periodically with Toots Thielemans' Brasil Project, Elias has served as musical director for Gilberto Gil's group. While she continued to record for the rest of the '90s, it was 2000's Impulsive! that proved one of the largest surprises in her career as she collaborated with conductor and arranger Bob Brookmeyer leading the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra. In 2002 she left Blue Note for RCA's Bluebird label, where she debuted with Kissed by Nature, a primarily vocal album, and followed it up with the lovely Dreamer in 2004. Elias released Around the City in 2006, a collection of primarily vocal tracks that moved ever further into pop territory, covering music by Santana, Bob Marley, and even Beck. It was her final album for Bluebird.
She returned to Blue Note for 2007's Something for You: Elaine Elias Sings & Plays Bill Evans, fronting a trio with Johnson (who played with Evans) and drummer Joey Baron. In 2009, she issued what many have argued is her finest recording, Bossa Nova Stories, fully engaging her Brazilian heritage in bossa and samba and illustrating her singular jazz instincts as a pianist. In 2010, Savoy Records issued Timeless Eliane Elias, a compilation of tracks culled from her mid-'80s recordings Illusions and Cross Currents. In late 2010, Elias signed with Concord; in the late spring of 2011 she released Light My Fire, her debut set on the label. A year later, Elias paired with bassist Marc Johnson for the instrumental ECM date, Swept Away. In 2013, Elias paid homage to trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker with I Thought About You: A Tribute to Chet Baker. ~ Craig Harris & Thom Jurek, Rovi
Tangerine
Eliane Elias Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's all that they claim
With her eyes of night
And lips as bright as flame
Tangerine
When she dances by
Señoritas stare
And I've seen
Toasts to tangerine
Raised in every bar
Across the argentine
Oh, she has them on the run
But her heart belongs just to one
Her heart belongs to tangerine
The song "Tangerine" by Eliane Elias is an ode to a woman named Tangerine, who is described as a captivating and enchanting figure. The lyrics paint a picture of Tangerine as a stunning and irresistible woman, with eyes as dark as a night sky and lips as bright as fire. The way she moves when she dances is so alluring that even the women are envious of her and the men can't help but sigh in awe.
The chorus of the song talks about the toasts made to Tangerine in every bar across the Argentinian landscape. It's clear that she has a special place in the hearts of many, but despite all the attention she receives, her heart belongs to just one. It's unclear who this person is, but it's clear that they hold a special place in Tangerine's heart.
The lyrics of "Tangerine" are full of imagery and metaphors that evoke a sense of passion and desire. The song is a celebration of the beauty and allure of women, and how they can captivate the hearts of men. The lyrics capture the essence of Tangerine's charm and the impact she has on those around her.
Line by Line Meaning
Tangerine
Here's a reference to the stunning beauty whose presence captivates everyone's attention.
She's all that they claim
Her beauty justifies all the praise she receives from others.
With her eyes of night
Her eyes are so expressive and captivating that they seem to resemble a starry night.
And lips as bright as flame
Her lips are so bright and lively that they seem to resemble flames of fire.
Tangerine
The reference to the stunning beauty continues, and now she's dazzling everyone with her dance moves.
When she dances by
As she performs, everyone around her stops to admire her beauty.
Señoritas stare
Even other women can't help but stare at her in admiration.
And caballeros sigh
The men around her can't help but heave a deep sigh of longing.
And I've seen
The singer now takes the listener on a journey of how famous Tangerine is in Argentina.
Toasts to tangerine
Everyone raises their glasses and toasts to Tangerine's beauty and elegance.
Raised in every bar
From the humblest joint to the most exclusive, people are talking about Tangerine's charm and grace.
Across the argentine
This is a reference to Argentina, where Tangerine's fame is widespread.
Oh, she has them on the run
Most men are smitten by Tangerine and can't resist her charm.
But her heart belongs just to one
Despite all the attention she receives, her love and devotion are reserved for one person.
Her heart belongs to tangerine
This sounds like a repetition of the previous line, but in reality, it implies that Tangerine is the one who holds the power over her heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Upsunday
Tangerine
She's all that they claim
With her eyes of night
And lips as bright as flame
Tangerine
When she dances by
Señoritas stare
And caballeros sigh
And I've seen
Toasts to tangerine
Raised in every bar
Across the argentine
Oh, she has them on the run
But her heart belongs just to one
Her heart belongs to tangerine
Songwriters: Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger
Tangerine lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
@dorismcharg4134
This gifted woman's virtuousity in piano-playing along with her voice, gives me goose-bumps! Eliane is the most amazing South-American piano-playing/singing jazz musician I have ever heard. I admire and love you Eliane! Thank you.... and your accompanying gifted musicians/team members for enabling human romantic emotions to be brought forth. And I must thank
the "uploader" as well. You are all awesome!
@user-rf7ft1zf7z
Wow. What a masterpiece. I just love her song and beautiful music as well. I feel like sitting on a bench overlooking mouth-dropping sea. Way to go.
@bixsingsthemusicoflife2047
I love Eliane Elias. This version of this old song is magic. Wonderful.
@jeddon8849
Pure magic; like silk, honey and the best jazz has to offer. Takes me to a new high w/out any stimulants. Such talent.
@jerryj920
Tha's a singer right there....and a classy, stylish interpretation of a classic tune; part of my Smooth Jazz Sunday playlist on FB.....thank you, Elaine Elias, thank you, whiteray1 for the upload. Blessings....#keeprockin'...
@casparillo987
Beautiful bossa nova inspired version of this fabulous song - sung by this brilliant lady...
@adriananiedda8457
Someone dedicated this piece of music to me about 35 years ago. I hear it now to remember the old good times.
@darlenegantt3954
This song is so relaxing it takes me back to Honolulu and laying on the beautiful beach with my margarita and feeling the daily mist and palm trees blowing in the wind.
SO Magical !!
@Chandidevi1
Her voice is unbelievable. Love her. I’m a jazz vocalist from way back when. Her piano playing is the best.
@wh8085
Never heard "Tangerine" done more lovely or by a more Beautiful musician !
Tonight was my first time to listen, sooo glad I did !