Ellen Pieroni is a seasoned sax player, multi-instrumentalist, music educator, and promoter. She has been playing the saxophone since she was eight years old and has been a sidewoman in a multitude of bands (including Folkfaces and Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra) for about a decade.
Her current project, Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul (EoS), presents a refreshing brand of smooth-infused soul jazz. 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 Pieroni’s captivating and soulful melodies, supported by thoughtful improvisation from all members over deep pocket grooves.
The latest single from Pieroni and company is a primarily instrumental ode to love. Her saxophone prowess is on full display as a velvet-lined arrangement accents the soaring brass melodies. The tones and melodies of “Lonely No More” create an uplifting narrative that salutes the people who pull you out of dark, unsavory mental spaces. Lush harmonies kick in toward the end of the track to round out this all-encompassing listening experience. Funky drums and whirling keys add a lively energy to this stirring ballad centered around a sense of relief and calm. Pieroni’s approach to modern jazz is both nostalgic and refreshing. Her approach to jazz fusion harkens back to the early days of the genre, while the narratives she tells with her playing explore more modern themes of love. “Lonely No More” is an optimistic ballad brimming with infectious energy and radiant performances.
