We Got That Swing!

I am so excited to co-produce with Jazz Power Initiative and Lee Hogans of Harlem School of the Arts, We Got That Swing! A Harlem Music Jubilee Celebrating 125 years of Duke Ellington and 50 years of Hip Hop, featuring youth and veteran performers including Charenee Wade and her trio, MC Silent Knight, Zah! Jr. […]

Dr. Eli receives 2024 AATS Award

I am honored to receive the American Academy of Teachers of Singing 2024 AATS Award. The award comes “in recognition of your leadership and excellence in youth jazz education.” Thank you to my teachers and colleagues for teaching me about singing, the way the voice works and the essential African American cultural roots of jazz […]

Eli plays Clean Energy for America Inauguration Ball

https://www.cleanenergyforbiden.com/ball I’m so excited and honored to perform at the Clean Energy For America Inaugural Ball tomorrow night in the Virtual Jazz Club following speeches on clean energy and greening our country. My longtime and dear colleagues Antoinette Montague, Lakecia Benjamin, Jennifer Vincent, and Dwayne “Cook” Broadnax, will be joining me along with two members […]

Big announcement: BLUES BOOK RELEASED!

Rowman and Littlefield Publishers in collaboration with the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) has released my book, So You Want to Sing the Blues.  This book is the gathering of many of my life experiences being inspired, guided and uplifted by the blues since I was a child. It is also the result […]

Krasnoyarsk, Siberia

We arrived in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia early in the morning on July 1, drummer LaFrae Sci’s Birthday. She was the first of the band off the plane and immediately received the warmth and welcome of the local people. When we got to the hotel, we found the International Music Festival in full swing with musicians from […]

Thanks for an amazing year!

It has been an amazing year and I thank you for listening.  What a joy it is to meet in communities around the globe in celebration of our music.  It’s a true gift and I’m grateful to all the musicians, audience members and support staff who make it all happen.  Thank-you thank-you thank-you.  Can’t wait […]

A Wail of Two Cities

Last week, Evan Christopher invited us to do a concert with him at the University Club in Manhattan.  It was Evan Christopher, clarinet, Ari Roland, bass, LaFrae Sci, drums and myself on piano. The concept was “A Wail of Two Cities: New Orleans to New York.”  Evan put together a distinctive, fiery and sweet program.  […]

Jazz, It’s My Music…Let’s Play!

  Greetings friends.  Welcome to my new blog.  I’m so glad to have this space to share my travels and insights with you.  I’ll do my best to be brief and share things I think you will find meaningful.  I live by the words above and I do all I can to share this feeling […]