Eliane Elias to appear at Three Stages

Eliane Elias is performing at Three Stages, 10 College Parkway in Folsom, on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Born in São Paolo, Brazil, Elias was a child prodigy in her native country, transcribing solos of the great jazz masters by age 12 and teaching piano and improvisation at Brazil’s top school by 15.

When she arrived in New York City in 1981, she astonished listeners, critics and fellow musicians with her pianistic fluency and charismatic stage presence.

After a turn in the original acoustic line-up of “Steps Ahead,” she launched her starry career as a solo artist. A long line of chart-topping, Grammy Award-nominated recordings for Blue Note, RCA Victor and Concord followed, seeing her shine as both pianist and vocalist, as both an interpreter of classic Brazilian material and a composer of sophisticated, alluring original material.

In 2000 appeared “Impulsive!,” an album of Elias’ music arranged by Bob Brookmeyer and performed by the pianist along with the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra. Elias made her ECM debut in 2005 on bassist Marc Johnson’s “Shades of Jade,” not only playing piano but also contributing several compositions.

“Swept Away,” Elias’s most recent CD sees the top-class foursome of double-bassist Marc Johnson, pianist Elias, drummer Joey Baron and saxophonist Joe Lovano commune over music that is engaging and sensual, poetic and swinging.

Her 2011 “Light My Fire” reached No. 1 on the French Jazz Charts, No.1 on iTunes France, debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Jazz Chart and No. 3 on iTunes and Amazon.com Jazz Charts USA.

Elias’ composition (music and lyrics) “What about the Heart” (Bate Bate) received a Grammy nomination for Best Brazilian Song. National Public Radio named her recording of the song “Light My Fire” as one of the top five recorded vocal songs of 2011. Backing her is a crew of 12 high-caliber players, including special guests such as guitarist/vocalist Gilberto Gil, bassist Marc Johnson and trumpeter Randy Brecker.

Tickets are $19 to $29, premium tickets $39 and students with ID $12. They may be purchased online at threestages.net or from the Three Stages ticket office at 916-608-6888 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time.