Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul at The Treelawn

Ellen Pieroni is a soul-jazz saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY. She has been playing the saxophone since she was 8 years old, and has been a sidewoman in a multitude of bands (including Folkfaces and Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra) for over a decade.Pieronis smooth-infused soul jazz band Ellen Pieroni s All Things Considered as one of three jazz stand outs for this years Tiny Desk Contest, where Felix Contreras said that soul jazz is alive and well withEllen Pieroni Although the group is inspired by artists such as Grover Washington Jr., King Curtis, and the Crusaders, EoS puts an emphasis on new original music...

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Ellen Pieroni is a soul-jazz saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY. She has been playing the saxophone since she was 8 years old, and has been a sidewoman in a multitude of bands (including Folkfaces and Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra) for over a decade.Pieronis smooth-infused soul jazz band Ellen Pieroni s All Things Considered as one of three jazz stand outs for this years Tiny Desk Contest, where Felix Contreras said that soul jazz is alive and well withEllen Pieroni Although the group is inspired by artists such as Grover Washington Jr., King Curtis, and the Crusaders, EoS puts an emphasis on new original music. The sound is driven by Pieronis captivating and soulful melodies, supported by thoughtful improvisation from all members over deep pocket grooves.When [Ellen] takes her solo, it really warms my heart because I hear the same soulfulness of Cannonball, or any of the sax players who played with Ray Charles back in the 50s, or the more contemporary alto saxophonist David Sanborn.- Felix Contreras, NPRs All Things ConsideredSparked by a mutual love of the band Stuff, The Encyclopedia of Soul was founded in 2022. The bands first recording, I Know Thats Right (Live at The Beat Barn), featured local legend Darryl Washington (brother of Grover Washington, Jr.) on drums.Pieroni has released two albums with EoS: The Encyclopedia of Soul, Vol. I (2023) and Soul Vacation (2024). The band has played the GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, the Rochester Lilac Festival, and the Erie Jazz and Blues Festival. EoS has shared the stage with Bernard Purdie, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, BoomBox, and Sophistafunk; and Ellen recently had a reel of hers shared by Vulfpeck with the caption 800 grit sandpaper... smooth.In addition to her music career, Pieroni is a music educator, teaching full time for 9+ years in the Buffalo Public School district, 8+ years as jazz band director at Bristol Hills Music Camp, and 3+ years at the Community Music School. She is also a promoter of local music with her company, Lavender Haze Collective.

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