Brazil's Eliane Elias on Piano and Vocals with Amazing Artists at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Jazz at Lincoln Center featured Eliane Elias (b Brazil 1960) on piano & vocals.  The entire first set was music by Bill Evans (b Amer 1929-1980).  Evans was a leading jazz pianist & composer known for inventive interpretations of traditional jazz repertoire.  Elias a multiple Grammy nominee & winner for Latin Jazz is also know for her S. American flourish to jazz compositions.  Evans was known for working with a jazz trio, playing piano with bass & drums.  Elias' first set was performed with drummer Joe Labarbera and bass virtuoso Marc Johnson.  Johnson was part of Evans last jazz trio while in his early 20's.  He is a master on the bass is also the husband of Elias.  The trio's interpretation of Evan's compositions were performed with Evan's lush atmospheric tones with a Latin flair.  The music possessed a rich full bodied resonance.  Elias' virtuosity at the piano is astonishing.  Elias offered an emotional tribute to Bill Evans with a video of him working on his last unfinished composition.  Elias's trio then performed her completed rendition of the piece felt perfectly in keeping with Evans' intent.  The 2nd set brought out a sexy Brazilian Bossa nova rhythm, a different drummer Rafael Barata, Rubens de la Core on guitar and Elias on both piano & vocals.  Bossa nova is a fusion of samba & jazz which originated in Brazil.  Samba is music whose roots stem from S. Africa & particularly the W. African slave trade.  It's imperative to regard the music's history. Elias' vocals embraced a deep modulated pitch which added a very sensual intonation.  There was a cohesiveness to the program's layering of harmonies & melodies with a passionate percussive beat.  I was transfixed by Barata on drums.  He was fascinating to watch.  His facial expressions reminded me of musician & actor Steve van Zandt on the SOPRANOS.  The combined artistic genius on stage especially Elias on piano & Johnson on bass produced exceptionally beautiful jazz with a visceral luxuriant response.