Live Review: Elin Mejara at Blues Alley “Elin Sings Elis Regina”
There’s no party quite like a Brazilian party, even when it’s in DC’s legendary Blues Alley. Elin’s showcasing of the music of iconic Brazilian vocalist Elis Regina brought out the Brazilian and Brazilia-music-loving community to fill the house, despite the latest pandemic wave.
It didn’t take too long to settle the party-atmosphere of the excited crowd as Elin’s musicians launched into the opening number, before she arrived on stage in sequined glory! With the exception of the set-closing, multi-lingual version of Tom Jobim’s classic Águas de Março the set was sung entirely in Portuguese, but as Elin acknowledged, that’s what the crowd came out for irrespective of their language fluency. Elin Kathleen Melgarejo of Peruvian and Irish heritage, came to the US from Sweden, where she was raised; and to the DC area via the Miami’s and New York jazz scenes. While in DC she has performed and recorded with, amongst others, renowned bands such as Thievery Corporation.
Tonight, Elin returned to her Brazilian roots, singing the music of Elis Regina, Brazil’s most renowned singer, had a successful career spanning 20 years before it was tragically cut short by her death at 36. Eline's Blues Alley performance focused on the seductive, irresistible sound of the samba/bossa groove and the timeless melodies which appeal to so many of us. There was a refreshing absence of the more familiar bossa nova songs as Elin explored Elis Regina’s songbook. No doubt, though, the set-list was familiar to many Brazilians and Elis Regina fans in the audience who you could hear singing along throughout the show. Regina’s legend is based not only on her singing but her song choice and her significance during a period which saw Brazil’s rise in the 1950’s, and it’s fall under the restrictions and challenges of the military dictatorship which heralded in the 1960’s. A period where Elis remained outspoken, and during which her own life and career suffered. Artists like this tend to define a period and live in the hearts of the people long after the songs have faded.
Elin’s full-hearted and obvious love of the music shines through her inspired performance; delighting the audience with soaring and sensitive vocals, underpinned by her band of virtuoso musicians. Dani Cortaza and Steve Sachse bounced joyously off each other on guitar and bass respectively, while drummer Mark Prince navigated the range of complex Brazilian rhythms. The DC area has a strong community of musicians playing Brazilian music and these players are at the top of the group, playing with feel and sophistication.
The swaying, O Bêbado e a Equilibrista, considered a Brazilian anthem, celebrated the country’s emergence from the dictatorship era, was one of the songs which clearly moved the audience. A beautiful, almost nostalgic melody in Elin’s performance epitomized the sound of Brazil. Next up, in Menino das Laranjas you could hear the cry of the orange seller wanting to sell his wares rather than go home-empty handed to face his family. Just a few songs later Aquí é o País do Futebol translated by Elin as “This is the Land of Football” and introduced with her description of the roar she heard every Saturday during the game, when Elin was living in Rio de Janeiro. In three songs, Elin presented three vivid scenes from the history and culture of the country, through the songs of Elis Regina.
From ballads to sambas, Elin led her audience in celebration of the music, the history, the people of one of the world’s most unique and diverse cultures. Finally, a standing ovation earned an encore Querelas do Brasil. A magical evening with the show delivering exactly what the audience wanted and needed; an opportunity to sing together and be together in the intimate warmth of Blues Alley, as we continue to lurch from pandemic to pandemic.
Looking forward, Elin plans to release an album to be called, “A Brazilian Heart and Soul: The Elis Regina Tribute” …something to look forward to.