Shira Elias is quickly becoming one of our favorite singers in the live music scene. Best known as one of two technicolor vocalists from the Brooklyn-based funk act, Turkuaz, Elias has consistently wowed audiences with her soaring vocals and next-level charisma on stage. At Brooklyn Comes Alive, Elias will return to her roots as a soul singer, performing a special set dubbed “Shira Elias’ Soul Tracks.”
Marking Shira’s debut at Brooklyn Comes Alive, for her “Soul Tracks” set, Elias will be joined by the entirety of power trio The Nth Power, featuring drummer Nikki Glaspie, guitarist Nick Cassarino, and bassist Nate Edgar, in addition to James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band), Lyle Divinsky (The Motet), Steve Swatkins (Allen Stone), and trumpet player Joél Gonzalez (Big Daddy Kane). This all-star band will help the yellow-clad songstress explore soul’s vast history, performing select tracks from across the decades while showcasing the diversity of this ever-evolving genre. During this special, soul-fueled set, fans can expect to hear songs from classic artists such as Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin, as well as modern soul masters Erykah Badu and D’Angelo.
As Shira Elias explained to Live For Live Music:
The idea for ‘Soul Tracks’ came from me wanting to pay homage to the genre of music that means the most to me: Soul. I wanted to do a show that traced back to the beginnings of Soul music in the ’50s and ’60s with forefathers/mothers like Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin and followed the evolution of the genre all the way up to today with innovators like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu. This music has shaped so much of the musician and person that I am, and I feel so honored and excited to play it with these players especially, each of whom is an innovator and influencer in their own right. And to top it off, that I get to do it in my home city of Brooklyn, where I really found my love of this music, makes it all the more magical.
To get stoked for this special performance, watch this video of Shira guesting with The Motet at Disc Jam 2018 and performing a stellar rendition of Chaka Khan‘s “I Feel For You”.
Shira Elias with The Motet – “I Feel For You” – Disc Jam 2018
[Video: gerryjdvideo]
The fourth-annual Brooklyn Comes Alive will return to Brooklyn’s beloved Williamsburg neighborhood on September 29th for an all-day music marathon at Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg and Rough Trade. Inspired by the vibrant musical communities of Brooklyn and New Orleans, Brooklyn Comes Alive brings together more than 50 artists, allowing them to carry out passion projects, play with their musical heroes, and collaborate in never-before-seen formations. For more information, ticketing, and to see the full list of performers scheduled for Brooklyn Comes Alive 2018, head to the festival’s website here.
