Eliana Pittman
Effortlessly cool Brazilian jazz that swings with soulful intensity. A masterclass in scat-singing and rhythmic joy, perfect for golden hour and high-spirited nights.
Effortlessly cool Brazilian jazz that swings with soulful intensity. A masterclass in scat-singing and rhythmic joy, perfect for golden hour and high-spirited nights.
Eliana Pittman’s music is the sound of a high-end Rio nightclub in the early 70s, where the air is thick with the scent of sea salt and expensive perfume. Her voice is a precision instrument, capable of shifting from a gentle, breathy bossa whisper to a powerful, soul-drenched belt in a single phrase. There is an undeniable physical energy to her recordings; the percussion is crisp, the brass is bright, and the groove is always deep and infectious.
What truly sets Pittman apart is her unique heritage as the bridge between American jazz standards and Brazilian MPB. Trained by her stepfather, the American saxophonist Booker Pittman, she possesses a technical mastery of scat-singing that was rare among her Brazilian contemporaries. She doesn't just sing a melody; she plays with it, stretching syllables and improvising rhythmic counterpoints that turn even the simplest pop tune into a sophisticated jazz workout.
For those new to her catalog, the self-titled 1972 album is the essential starting point. It captures her at the height of her powers, blending the sophisticated arrangements of the era with her signature 'sambalanço' swing. It is music that feels both timelessly elegant and vibrantly alive, making it the perfect soundtrack for moments that require a touch of class and a lot of heart.
Eliana Pittman (born Eliana Leite da Silva; August 14, 1945) is a Brazilian singer and actress. Considered one of the more soulful Brazilian vocalists of the early 1970s, Pittman is the stepdaughter of jazz saxophonist Booker Pittman. He was her first music teacher, mentor, and recording partner, playing a significant role in shaping her artistic path. With a distinctive swinging voice and intensity in her style, Pittman was a brilliant scat singer who turned insipid novelty tunes and light pop into definitive, jazz based treatment. Her first great hit was Tristeza, recorded in 1966, which gained her instant recognition in South America, though she never had a huge hit like Astrud Gilberto's Garota de Ipanema. During the 60s and 70s, she toured throughout Brazil, Italy, France, Japan, US, Spain and Venezuela. In 2001, Pittman opened a new tour starting from Rio de Janeiro. Since then, she has been alternating moments of reclusion and some activity as a TV actress.
Shares vocal jazz, soul, soulful, live recording (subgenre)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →
