http://elanastone.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/elanastoneband

Electronic art pop; Sydney

WINNER: BEST JAZZ ARTIST AT THE MUSICOZ AWARDS, 2004

WINNER: NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS AT WANGARATTA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2005

SEMI-FINALIST: MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL VOCAL COMPETITION

Elana is a Sydney based vocalist. She completed her Bachelor of Music, Jazz Major in 2002 and is currently making waves on the Sydney scene. Her primary influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Clark Terry, Ray Charles, Betty Carter, Nina Simone, Bobby McFerrin, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Dr John, Joni Mitchell, Rufus Wainwright, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder and Sting. While appearing on Rockwiz (SBS, 6/12/2008) Elana gave Billy Joel as the first gig she attended, to booing from the audience. Still she admits to this influence especially early in her playing.

Beyond her ability, which has been cultivated with zeal for the majority of her life, it is her sense of humour and her spirit that make Elana a magnetic performer and an ideal band leader. An example of her sense of humour - hoping everyone was enjoying the show then thanking those who weren't for paying (Bennett's Lane 16/1/2008).

Elana studied Composition briefly at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before packing her bags and moving down to Canberra to complete her Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz voice at the Australian National University, School of Music. Elana studied with Gery Scott, a professional big band singer during the 50’s. The bass teacher Eric Ajay also took Elana under his wing and encouraged her to push herself to new levels.

At 24, Elana is now ‘Sydney’s favourite young jazz singer’ [Barry Morris, Daily Telegraph] and is doing gigs with artists she never expected to be performing alongside. She has had the great fortune to sing at many wonderful venues around Sydney with such luminaries as James Muller, Mark Isaacs, Sean Wayland, Dan Barnett, Jackie Orszaczky, Rai Thistlethwaite (Thirsty Merc), Phil Stack (Thirsty Merc), Phil Slater, Carl Dewhurst, Brett Hirst and Simon Barker just to mention a few.

Now also a member of All Our Exes Live in Texas Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.