JAZZ REVIEW : Surprising Skills From Pianist Eliane Elias

What a fascinating week for jazz--especially distaff jazz. Ella Fitzgerald working her familiar magic at the Hollywood Bowl; mainstream guitarist Emily Remler at the Vine St. Bar & Grill, and now--at least as exciting as both of the above--Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias at Catalina Bar and Grill.

Elias’ opening performance Thursday night was startling. Playing with a percussive finger control that appeared to have no technical restraints at all, she wasted no time in making a strong case for herself as one of the most gifted new jazz performers of the ‘80s. The extent of her skills was especially surprising, since her recordings, while pleasant and well done, have not been particularly accurate indicators of the level of mastery she brought to Catalina’s stage.

Working with the stellar rhythm team of John Pattitucci on bass and Adam Nusbaum on drums, Elias seemed to prefer rapid up-tempos. Two--”Illusions” and “Impulsive”--were especially remarkable, with a trigger-quick interaction between the three players that belied the fact that they’d had only a brief afternoon rehearsal together.

Elias was even better with a pair of passionate readings of standards: “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Beautiful Love.” Her provocative harmonic imagination explored the outer limits of altered and extended chords in a fashion that has rarely been heard since the ballad years of Bill Evans.

The talented Elias continues her performances at Catalina’s tonight and Sunday. All fans of state-of-the-art contemporary jazz are hereby advised to show up early, and stay late.