Brazilian Eliane Elias is known for her warm and sensuous voice as well as her talents as a pianist. Now a long-time resident of New York, she's enjoyed success in both classical and jazz composition. The Juilliard graduate launched her solo career in 1985. In the 1990s, she garnered widespread critical praise for her bossa nova recordings and her duos with pianist Herbie Hancock. In 2008, Elias launched Something for You, a tribute to Bill Evans, one of her leading influences. In 2009, she presents the hugely successful Bossa Nova Stories at the Festival. Light My Fire came out two years later.