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Of Greek and African origin, singer Elisabeth Kontomanou has worked with musicians on both the European and American scenes: Leon Parker,Ari Hoenig,Jean-Michel Pilc, Michel Legrand, Mike Stern, Jon Hicks (RIP) and Alain Jean-Marie to name but a few. She first gained recognition at French ‘Concours de La Défense’ and was nominated for a Django d’Or Award in 1999. As well as performing across several continents, Elisabeth has also played at such world-renowned New York jazz venues as the Blue Note, Village Vanguard, Sweet Basil and the Knitting Factory. Not limited to purely musical endeavours, she has branched out to both musical cinema ("Masque de Lune" by Michel Legrand) and musical comedy ("Rag Time" in 2003).
Reviews
Awarded "Best Jazz Vocalist of 2006" in France (Les Victoires du Jazz), Elisabeth reaches the peak of her art with her new album "Waitin' For Spring". Assisted by world-class players -- multi-Grammy winner John Scofield, outstanding soprano saxist Sam Newsome, brilliant French keyboarder Laurent Coq, Monk Competition winner Darryl Hall and young talent Donald Kontomanou --, she delivers vocal renditions totally fresh and yet deeply rooted in the tradition of classic jazz singing. A collection of attractive originals and indestructible standard songs -- among them Hebb's "Sunny", Distel's "Good Life", Mingus' "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love", Arlen's "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues" and others --, this album presents a great jazz vocalist with an approach that is all her own. "She is on her way to becoming one of the great voices of the next decades" (Rap Mag).
She is as soulful as Sarah Vaughan, as smooth and mellow as Dianne Reeves and comes equipped with a fighting spirit as passionate as Nina Simone’s. She is fire and ice, earth and water, innocent and sage.-Christopher Loudon(JazzTimes magazine).
''... cette magicienne fait résonner dans sa gorge et son cœur tous les tourments et musiques du monde. Son album paru en 2007, dernier en date, s’intitule « Back to my groove » (chez Nocturne) et confirme la plénitude d’une artiste désormais célébrée partout (New York y compris) comme une « grande ». Kontomanou laisse aujourd’hui exploser sa joie, son instinct musical et sa plénitude vocale. Son chant a des allures de fleuve tropical, puissant et généreux, et emporte tout sur son passage. Une immense chanteuse habitée par l'esprit du blues et la science du jazz.'' JL.Caradec(La Terrasse)
In addition to her impressive singing and the fresh material, some of which sounds like it could have been a standard in the '60s or '70s, Back to My Groove is of strong interest due to the instrumentation. Most selections utilize not only a rhythm section but the Quatuor Elysee String Quartet, a few horns (soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome is well featured) and a harpist. While there are some thoughtful performances, it is the more high-powered pieces, which include some challenging writing for the strings, that are of the greatest interest. Kontomanou gives one the impression that she could sing anything, making Back to My Groove a strong introduction to her music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
“One hardly hears hard-ass, bluesy singing like this nowadays. It’s not “pretty.” Elisabeth is powerful and passionate and that is the difference. This is music that comes from the gut, holds back nothing. Far from easy listening, Elisabeth will make you think about some of the deepest questions you’ve ever asked your self.”
“…This album has my vote for jazz album of the year.”
”…this is an achievement of the highest order.”
—Kalamu ya Salaam
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| Sounds Like | 
« Il y a dans la musique des rencontres qui ne s’expliquent pas. Il y a dans la musique des rencontres dont on ne trouve pas les mots afin d’en décrire l’essence et la magie. Cela correspond parfaitement à celle qui réunit la chanteuse Elizabeth Kontomanou et le pianiste Laurent Courthaliac.
Venus d’univers différents, elle, artiste avide de multiplier les expériences entre New York et l’Europe. Lui, savant inventif se contentant d’approfondir et de développer le langage du piano Be Bop. Leur point commun ? C’est l’amour du jazz, de cette musique qui se doit d’être simple avant d’être complexe, de ce son qui puise ses racines dans le jazz de Billie Holiday, Bud Powell ou Duke Ellington. Cette émotion partagée constitue le point de départ d’une musique sophistiquée, actuelle, vivante et profonde. Il y a dans ce duo tous les ingrédients nécessaires pour repenser un monde dont les valeurs de la tradition trouveraient leur place dans la société actuelle en quête permanente de création et de renouveau. »
CLOVIS NICOLAS
Brewin' the Blues 2008
"Brewin' the Blues"
Laurent Couthaliac - Piano
Back To My Groove 2007
"Back To My Groove"
Arrangements & Vocals - Gustav Karlström
Soprano - Sam Newsome
Piano - Orrin Evans
Guitar - Marvin Sewell
Double-bass - Thomas Bramerie
Drums - Donald Kontomanou
Percussion - Leon Parker
String-quartet - Quatuor Elysée
Harp - Isabelle Olivier
Horn section - Pierrick Pédron alto sax, David El Malek tenor sax, Daniel Zimmermann trombone, Yoann Loustalot trumpet
Compilation of Midnight sun & Waitin' for spring 2006
Waitin' For Spring 2005
"Waitin' For Spring"
Soprano Sax - Sam Newsome
Guitar - John Scofield
piano - Laurent Coq
Bass - Darryl Hall
Drums - Donald Kontomanou
Midnight Sun 2004
"Midnight Sun"
Jean-Michel Pilc - piano
Thomas Bramerie - bass
Ali Jackson - drums
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