EPK Eliane Amherd.cwk (WP)

ELIANE AMHERD www.elianeperforms.com
"Hot genre-busting singer, guitarist and songwriter Eliane Amherd combines Brazilian and
Latin rhythms along with contemporary jazz vocals to create a fresh sound, completely her
own."
BIOGRAPHY
Eliane is one of the hottest forces of the New York City Jazz, Brazilian and Latin scene. The
Swiss-born singer, guitarist and songwriter graduated from New York’s New School University
for Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2000. Since then her original music and lyrics, a groovy
mix of all her influences, has been creating quite a buzz.
Besides her performances as a leader or a featured artist in New York’s most famous clubs, like
the Blue Note, Joe’s Pub, the Jazz Standard, Cornelia’s Street Cafe, Nuyorican Poets Cafe and
major events like the Swiss Peak Festival, the reopening of the Silverstein Building at the
World Trade Center (alongside Lou Reed, Susan Vega, and the Brazilian Girls), she also tours in
North- and South America, Canada, Europe and Asia, where she performed at the Beijing Jazz
Festival in China and the Giant Steppes of Jazz Festival in Mongolia.
Eliane has worked with greats such as Randy Brecker, Marcus Strickland, Marc Ribot, Michael
Carvin, Bill Ware, Jovino Santos Neto etc. She plays guitar in the Pacha Massive video “don’t let
go“ on MTV, her song “as If” can be heard in the award winning movie “Approaching Union
Square” by filmmaker Marc Meyers and her voice is featured on Jeremy Mage's song "Slippery
Light" appearing on the NBC hit TV series "Lipstick Jungle".
Eliane also arranged and produced the Swiss Miss Sampler “heimweh”, featuring famous Swiss
artists like Eliana Burki, Nubya, Gigi Moto, Mia Aegerter etc. This recording has earned her
many great press reviews, several interviews on Swiss national radio stations and an
appearance on the popular Swiss talk show "Aeschbacher".
Her own band consists of the best musicians the city has to offer, like the two female bass
players Jennifer Vincent and Hagar Ben Ari, bass player Gustavo Amarante and the drummers
Willard Dyson and Abou Diarrassouba. Other accomplished musicians you can catch on stage with
Eliane are: drummers or percussionists Ze Mauricio, Genji Siriasi, Sylvia Cuenca, bass players
Ray Parker, Yoshi Waki, Itaiguara, pianists Rachel Z, Helen Sung, Chris Wiesendanger and
many others.
PRESS
QUOTES
... what joy of singing and playing, what musicality, what stage presence! The spark jumped right after
the first few measures from the stage down to the sold out concert hall. An indulgence for eye and ear.
jazz club thalwil 2010
...with lots of temperament, a beautiful voice and a ton of charisma, Eliane delighted the audience with
her unconventional and fun interpretations. Walliser Bote, 2010
...her performance, together with her charisma, fills up any ambient. Thank you, eliane for being 49%
Brazilian at heart, and 100% when you sing in Portuguese. casa do brasil 2009
...eliane could very well be the most exciting and skilled female jazz performer ever to perform in
mongolia. ub post, mongolia 2009
... eliane amherd has a tone with a complex palette, and establishes mood easily and confidently. she
has a vibrant presence. I cannot even guess what else she has up her sleeve in the way of voicing, touch
and use of space, but that it is enchanting is assured. tirthankar mukherjee, mongolia 2009
TITONI celebrated its 90th anniversary at the Famous commune by the Great Wall of china in Beijing.
The graceful performance of a young Swiss Jazz musician, Eliane Amherd, and her band, especially
flown in from New York as well as a lucky draw entertained the guests and contributed to a most joyful
and memorable event. Europa Star Magazine 2009
...eliane strums acoustic guitar, her voice wafting over latin percussion with the knowing silky
precision of a bossanova princess. Onome Ekeh for Helvetica Bold 2007
...after the opening act the singer, guitar player eliane lightened up the concert space with her
enchanted flame. with a cat like elegance she evoked brazil and its timeless bossa nova but in her very
own way, coloured with jazz and blues elements. she directs her voice with masterful presicion
anywhere she wants. warm timbre and technique without failure: eliane has everything of a star.
l'impartial 2006
...she now presents a cd with exclusivly original material.
this cd, simply entitled “as if” contains of a number of convincing compositions, that she fuses with
brazilian music, jazz and blues elements. the fifteen songs impress with their quality and personal
signature. there is not a single bad compositon on this album. it is a well balanced, entertaining and at
the same time fresh collection of songs eliane can proudly present herself with in new york, here and
a n y w h e r e . jean – pierre d’alpaos for walliser bote 2006
...eliane suprises the jazz world with ingenious compositions.
the artist is convincing with light jazz that is exquisitely interweaved with south american elements.
the alluring music tells a lot about the obvious potential of the musician. music experts and critics in
new york and as well as in switzerland certify that eliane has a fantastic voice for which she is known
for. susanne perren for coop zeitung 2006
...'makeout stakeout' positively embraces the bourgeois, laying waste to the gin slums and instead
erecting glistening, crystalline absinthe towers that echo to eliane amherd's gorgeous vocals.
textura 2005
... coupling eliane amherd's enchanted vocal musings with resplendent melodica playing in the dancehall
dub funk excursion "makeout stakeout" proves ...
ron schepper for grooves ( review of david last's almbum “the push pull” 2005
singer and guitar player eliane amherd, from valais, lives in new york since 1998 and her talent as a
soloist shines brillianlty on the jazz scene... the discovery of the season at the amr.
amr club geneva 2003
brazilian music has infected her. she always had a passionate nature. her own songs are
a sophisticated mix made of the richness of brazilian, south american and african music and its
rhythms. combined with the young artist’s velvety voice, a jazz sound is created that goes under your
skin. susanne perren for coop zeitung 2003
eliane amherd has a powerful voice. everyone who had had the chance to see her will agree and she
proved it once more. she delivered rich brazilian repertoire with impressive assertiveness,
sometimes playful, sometimes thoughtful and accompanied herself skillfully on guitar . if you know of
eliane's artistry and if you already had a chance to listen to her new cd, you are already looking
forward to this concert.
lothar berchtold for walliser bote 2003
the band's performance was carried by the strong presence of the lead singer eliane amherd. her voice
possesses a wide spectrum: silky-smooth, razor-sharp, playful, sensual, full of pain, sassy, angry
and comforting .josianne walpen for walliser bote 1995
MUSICIANS
and
INDUSTRY
PEOPLE
QUOTES
“ eliane is an excellent musician. One of the very best singers in New York.”
Randy Brecker (trumpet)
“...a terrific guitarist. eliane rocks!”
Marc Ribot (guitar)
" when i first saw her perform, her sultry, melodic, mesmerizing and energizing musical talent
resonated with me for days. she truly is a gift to all music."
debbie melk (mtv)
“ ...one of the most all around talented artists I have ever written with. “
Eric Sanicola (producer)
“ it is incredible because she sings, directs and plays guitar simultaneously and at such a high
musical level that nothing is compromised. Her composition style is mature, melodically and
harmonically sophisticated and deeply personal.”
Jennifer Vincent (bass)
“ eliane has a wonderful voice, combined with an excellent musicality that makes all her singing,
scatting and composing a pure delight to hear.”
Richie Beirach (piano and composer)
" Eliane is a real find, what talent! Just one day after giving her a frightening piece to scat by
Hermeto Pascoal, it was perfectly in tune and with a great infectious spirit. I am convinced she
can sing anything she puts her mind to."
Richard Boukas ( guitar )
LINKS
www.elianeperforms.com
www.swissmissmusic.com
www.myspace.com/elianeperforms.com
www.youtube.com/elianeperforms