Taira Elias is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she began singing professionally at the age of 18, leading her own jazz sextet. She has played with many prominent musicians of Bs.As.(Luis Salinas, Horacio Larumbe, Juanjo Hermida etc.) Her repertoire was based mostly in jazz standards, although she also included bossa nova, and boleros. Taira has performed in some of the more prestigious jazz clubs and theaters of Buenos Aires for more than 15 years (Teatro Coliseo, Jazz Club de la Plaza, Tobago Café, Clasica y Moderna, etc.).
She traveled to Southern Brazil on two occasions, performing Brazilian music with her own quintet in bars and clubs in the main area of Camboriu and in Florianopolis having great success in 1994 and 1995. In 1999, Taira relocated to Los Angeles.
She started playing with a Rhythm and Blues band for the first year where she performed at Encounter Restaurant in LAX, Café Club Fais Do-Do, Taix French Restaurant, etc. Taira then move on to play with Brazilian musicians, performing in the various restaurants, such as Club Rio, Bamboo Restaurant, Atlas Supper Club. Then she formed a trio with Ron Hershwee on guitar and Jack Bruce on bass to performed at a steady gig in Palm Dale’s Restaurant, Quartz Hills Bistro for more than a year and also in different venues in Los Angeles. She also worked with the trio of the great composer, arranger and piano player, Otmaro Ruiz from Venezuela, Aaron Serfaty and John Belzaguy in a few occasions.
In 2003, Taira has been singing with the drummer Don Allen, a piano player, and the great jazz bass-player, John B. Williams in a quartet formation; they have been working in several events and private parties during 2003-2004 such as Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, Carson Jazz Festival, among others. On July 2005, Taira has recorded several songs in Los Angeles and Buenos Aires that included a mixed of international musicians. In August 2005, Taira had the great opportunity to perform as a guest at “ The Harlem Rennaisance Week of Arts and Jazz festivalâ€. Which is a traditional festival of Jazz and African American arts in Harlem, New York. Taira’s musical style is mostly based in mainstream Jazz standards & Brazilian music.
In 2006 Taira started to study improvisation attending various workshops by Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Mark Murphy and Rhiannon. She also traveled back home to Bs. As. to perform and recorded the songs featured in this site. Taira is presently studying privately voice lessons and improvisation with the wonderful jazz vocalist Cathy Segal Garcia while she is also music major at Los Angeles City College. In 2008 Taira is forming her new Jazz Quartet and ready to get back on the road!
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