Eli Jones profile picture

Eli Jones

Making It Right!

About Me


Buy the record here!

We're a pop/soul band from Chicago featuring vocal powerhouse Stefanie Berecz and a rowdy horn section. Check out our full bio on our website.

Reviews:

"Soul is still alive, due in part to a bunch of white dudes from Chicago...the real draw here is the band Eli Jones and lead singer Stefanie Berecz, whose dusty, hypnotic voice puts her in line to be another Jennifer Hudson–type success story." - Avant/Chicago

"Chicago octet Eli Jones makes sultry soul music. Lead singer Stefanie Berecz emancipates herself from love on “Finally Did for Me” while a sax and a trombone enhance her remarkable vocals." - Time Out Chicago

"The star of the show is one Stefanie Berecz who has an absolutely amazing voice, the kind of instrument that Joss Stone thinks she has in between bouts of oversinging...there is a lot of top quality original material on offer." - Zeitgeist (UK)

"Keeping the soulful funk alive...a heavy funk monster a la Mother's Finest..." - Here Comes the Flood

"The singer's timeless, sultry vocals continually charm Chicago reviewers, but the rest of the group is not to be underestimated, forming a troupe of groove-packed guitar and powerhouse horns that will undoubtedly energize any venue." - The Daily Iowan

"...An original sound borrowing from the greats with hints of pop and blues, keeping it punchy and funky with very few moments of down-time." - Theft Liable To Prosecution

"The eclectic disc features 10 songs that range from tender existential balladry (“Afraid Not To Die”) to pop/jazz/samba fusion (“Bring Your Love To Me”) and much more." - The Northern Star

"Part Joss Stone, part Whitney Houston, Berecz brings both longing and sexual chemistry to the band’s debut" - Illinois Entertainer

"Chicago’s soulful rock band Eli Jones makes no bones about its debut, Make It Right. Here, Stefanie Berecz’s Joss Stone-like vocals are paired masterfully with Brendan O’Connell’s guitar playing." - Windy City Times

Avant/Chicago mentions Make It Right among their top 2007 Chicago Albums - Avant/Chicago

- Make It Right reaches No. 2 on Zeitgiest's (UK) December 2007 Top 10 list!

- Feature article in The Pioneer Press

- Feature article in Decatur Herald & Review

-"Straight Up--Make It Right" featured on Here Comes the Flood


My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/7/2005
Band Website: elisoul.com
Band Members: Stefanie Berecz (vox); Brendan O'Connell (vox/guitar); Chris Corsale (vox/guitar); Jeremy Schmidt (bass); John Smillie (drums); Jon Edwards (bari sax); Jim Schram (tenor sax); Eric Miller (trombone). ADDITIONAL: Stu Mindeman (keys); Brandice Manuel and Taroniah Rice (Backup Vox).
Influences: Stevie, Aretha, Alicia, John Legend, Chaka, Paul Pena, some strains of Wilco, and yes...for the love....a little Michael McDonald.
Sounds Like:

Download Live Eli Jones Shows on LIVE MUSIC ARCHIVE


Record Label: Piece of Coal Music
Type of Label: None

My Blog

OUR ONLY SHOW THIS SUMMER!

Yo! A big piece of news...that many of you already know...is that Stef is having a baby this summer. We've set aside plans for a monster tour but we're doing it right: one HUGE summer show at one of C...
Posted by Eli Jones on Thu, 29 May 2008 05:01:00 PST

we could get used to this.

Well. It's been many moons and many gigs since I put a thought or two down on 'paper'. Let's see if we can't catch up a bit. I'm not in road-mode at this particular moment, but the gigs have been so g...
Posted by Eli Jones on Tue, 20 May 2008 07:06:00 PST

Thoughts on the road

Hey, this is Chris the guitar player. While I'm catching up on rest after the band's first road trip, I figured it's worth jotting down a few thoughts&That's right, fools, we're a touring band now. We...
Posted by Eli Jones on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:13:00 PST

CD Release Show Sells Out!

We were over capacity at the release show at the Hideout. Thank you everybody!Setlist1. Finally Did For Me2. I'll Get Down3. Bring Your Love To Me4. Candlelight5. Disco Smooth 6. Straight Up (Paula Ab...
Posted by Eli Jones on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:46:00 PST

Buy Tickets to the CD Release!

It's gonna be totally sweet!...
Posted by Eli Jones on Sun, 21 Oct 2007 08:10:00 PST

CD RELEASE 11/8/07!

We're overjoyed to officially announce that the album will be released on Thursday 11/8/07 at The Hideout, one of Chicago's most beloved venues. We'll have a full horn section, tons of special guests ...
Posted by Eli Jones on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:32:00 PST

Our Record...

Is still being made. Yup it's been an extremely long process...Since January 2 (we tracked drums with Frank on the 2nd and 3rd) we've spent an incredible amount of time in Caleb's studio. Like, way to...
Posted by Eli Jones on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:53:00 PST

Washington Island Trip

We just returned from Washington Island, WI and an amazing one-night stand at The Trueblood Performing Arts Center. The two sets featured our brand new originals and standard Eli cover tunes (Joss Sto...
Posted by Eli Jones on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:56:00 PST

Capacity at the Winds...Thank you!

Last night was incredible. Thanks to everyone that came out to the Winds (and to Tom--the owner--for making sure the radiators worked this time!). Some folks had to wait outside for a half hour to get...
Posted by Eli Jones on Sun, 04 Mar 2007 09:59:00 PST

Changes...

Three big announcements in the Eli Jones world...1) It's official...Stefanie Berecz has joined the band. We're incredibly excited to have Stefie B on board. She is, quite simply, one of the most talen...
Posted by Eli Jones on Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:13:00 PST