Acclaimed Brazilian jazz pianist comes to UTSA

By Matthew Dunne
Assistant Professor, Department of Music

(Sept. 10, 2008)--The UTSA Department of Music, Musical Bridges of San Antonio, and KRTU 91.7 FM will present the acclaimed Brazilian jazz pianist and singer Eliane Elias and bassist Marc Johnson, formerly of the Bill Evans Trio, in concert at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the UTSA Recital Hall on the 1604 Campus.

Elias began her recording career in 1984 with Randy Brecker, and has since released 15 albums on Blue Note recordings and three on RCA Victor. A former member of the famed group Steps Ahead, she has become a leader in jazz, winning awards such as Downbeat's Album of the Year, Jazziz Magazine's Best New Artist and has been nominated twice for a Grammy, once with an album of duets with Herbie Hancock, and once for a project with Bob Brookmeyer. Several of her recordings have risen to the top of jazz charts throughout the world.

Her recent recording, "Something For You," is a tribute to the great Bill Evans, performed with her husband Marc Johnson and drummer Joey Baron. Elias and Johnson will perform several selections from this award winning CD.

The UTSA Recital Hall is an acoustically superb 500-seat concert hall -- the perfect venue for an intimate jazz concert.

Tickets are $20, $10 students and seniors, and are available by calling (210) 458-5685.