Elza
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Elza

Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1998 | SELF

Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 1998
Solo Pop Singer/Songwriter

Calendar

Music

Press


"The Art of Songwriting"

Feature Article : "The Art of Songwriting"
Elza Libhart (who performs under her first name) plays festivals and concert halls and released three albums before settling in town with her husband and co-writer, Reggie, in 2007 to raise a family. She continues to write and record, and her songs are often heard on TV shows. - 068 Magazine


"Hope Concert Features Elza @The Ridgefield Playhouse"

“Hope Concert for Mental Illness” will bring awareness to the challenges of mental illness during an evening of inspirational music and reflections on Sat., May 18 at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

Headlining the concert is award-winning singer-songwriter Elza, loved by audiences for her unique bluesy/jazzy/Americana blend that she calls “acoustic soul.”

In addition, Maggie Taylor from Advocacy Unlimited Inc. in New Britain and other guest speakers will address ways to conquer the stereotypes, fear, stigma and shame of mental illness. State Sen. Will Haskell (D-26) is tentatively expected to attend and speak about Connecticut’s legislative priorities around mental health.

“This is the third year we’re bringing together amazing musical talent and gifted speakers who engage and inspire, all in the name of better understanding mental illness,” said Kate Mattias, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Connecticut. “Audience members leave with hope in their hearts, and practical insights in their heads.” - Hamlet Hub-CT April 25, 2019


"She's amazing live!"

Elza has performed for my music festival several times and gave stirring, performances that were incredible! She is an amazing live performer, a professional in every way, I strongly recommend her!
-Steven Ringel, Marin Music Festival, Marin, CA - Marin Music Festival Booking Agent


"First Rate Songwriter-Feature Article"

“She’s a first-rate songwriter with a very strong stage presence,” says Phil Ciganer, owner of the Towne Crier Café in Pawling, New York, where Elza has often played, “and she’s as talented as she is beautiful.” See for yourself at elzamusic.com. - Westchester Magazine


"Front Cover/Feature Article: iNTOWN MAGAZINE"

Elza on Cover of INTOWN MAGAZINE, Westchester, NY
Feature Article: On the Verge of Stardom
"Elza has all the elements of a genre bending, international star. We feel it's only a matter of time until her stars align" - The Journal News


"the second coming of Joni"

Her songs are addictive, her charm infectious and her voice, well...
you'd have to hear it to believe it. Live, she's the second coming of Joni.

~Donn Menn,
Founder of Guitar Magazine - Founder of Guitar Magazine


"One of the best live performers I've ever seen."

Elza is one of the best live performers I've ever seen.
~Walter Yetnikoff Ceo, Commotion Records, Former President of CBS Records (Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson) - Walter Yetnikoff-Former President of CBS Records


"UPN 9 News, NY"

"She's the real deal!"
UPN 9 News NY
- UPN 9 News NY


"MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE"

"Elza’s songs are heartfelt, catchy and very well performed. The quality of her voice and her abilities as a musician will definitely set her apart as an artist to watch for."

~Dale Hill, Music Connection Magazine
Elza live at The Hollywood Mint, Los Angeles, CA.
- Dale Hill


"RHYTHM & NEWS MAGAZINE: A winner waiting for a race"

Elza has the gift for creating instantly recognizable pop tunes that stay with you long after the CD stops spinning. Her track "Everything To Me" is a winner just waiting for a race. - George Fletcher


"Not a throwaway cut on this 12 track CD"

ELZA: Not Gettin' Free Anytime
Written by Mike Parker
CD: Gettin' Free
Artist: Elza

The progeny of an eclectic South Carolina visual artist and an eclectic German mathematician/musician, the eclectically named Elza learned to read music before she learned to read words. It is a fact well represented by her latest project, Gettin’ Free. The music is pure American melting pot infused by Caribbean breezes, stout German ale, sloe-eyed Southern girl saunter, and occasional New York attitude.

Elza possess a fetching voice that slides comfortably between Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Knapp, and she’s not afraid to use it. She can croon and warble, get down and get funky, and even indulge in a little blues and boogie when the song calls for it.

Not too far from gospel, the title cut explores the dry yearning of a soul bound by its own choices accompanied by a loopy melody and smoldering vocals. “This Is Love” extols the joys of love set to a gently rocking, island beat. The tune segues easily into the pure Americana of “My Romeo.” You can forget the whole ‘I kissed a girl’ crazed as Elza prefers the attention of “Boys, Boys, Boys.”

There is a subtle nod to Janis Joplin on the moody, slightly slurred “Heal,” which might be the best cut on the album. She plumbs the breadth and depth of the Southern singer/songwriter experience on “Charleston Corner.”

I could go on and on. There is not a throwaway cut on this twelve-song collection. Getting’ Free won’t be free from my CD player anytime soon.

http://www.elzamusic.com/ - BuddyHollywood.com


Discography

2021:  Single: "Blank Pages" produced by Kevin Haines  #1on Broadjam's Ambient Electronica chart

2020:  Single:  "Welcome to America" produced by Gary Gray licensed by Democracy Now

2019:  Netflix's "Charmed"

2016: "the other side" produced by Gary Gray wins the Int'l Music Licensing Contest

2012: her songs were featured on ABC's "NYMed"

2010:  her songs were featured on ABC's "Boston Med"

2008:  her songs were featured on ABC's "Hopkins"

2007: Gettin' Free  (full length Album)

2003: "everything to me" featured on the CW's "SMALLVILLE"

2001: Wide Open   EP

1999: Elza  (full length Album)

Photos

Bio

Award winning singer songwriter Elza Libhart has returned to the stage after her hiatus to start her family with a sold out show headlining The TriBECCA Performing Arts Center, NYC!  With her unique and alluring bluesy, jazzy, acoustic pop she aptly calls, Acoustic Soul and with a world-class voice and melodies you'll hum for days; Elza is one of those special artists that touches you with the first note and holds you spellbound until the last.   With an incredible voice and stage presence she possesses that rare ability to be vulnerable and powerful.  She is a riveting live performer, with a fiercely loyal fanbase and has shared the stage with such icons as Train, Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead, Richie Havens, Hootie & The Blowfish & Martin Sexton to name a few.  Her song the other side won the Grand prize in the International Music Licensing Songwriting Competition and that led to her work with Telly Award Winning Producer Gary Gray. Many of her songs have been featured on ABC's award winning series Hopkin's, BostonMed, NYMed, the CW's hit show Smallville and most recently, Netflix's "Charmed". 

Elza's disarming combination of strength and vulnerability can be attributed to her unusual childhood and life experiences which echoes the heart-felt sentiment of her songs. She grew up back and forth between her father in Frankfurt, Germany and her mother in Charleston, SC.  Elza's father,  a German abstract mathematician and musician, insisted she learn to read music and with that her love of music was born. In South Carolina she was heavily influenced by the live jazz, blues, latin, gospel and classical music that her mother and step father would take her to at the annual Int'l Spoleto Festival USA.   After graduating high school Elza moved to New York City on a scholarship to study classical voice & acting at the Mannes School of Music/Hunter College Consortium.  After receiving her BFA in Classical Music from SUNY Purchase and being the NY winner of the National McAllister Opera Awards; she performed as a classical solo vocalist with the PA Ballet Co Conducted by Robert Sirota, in the opera "Carmen" at The Charles Ives Performing Arts Center, CT, the Humphrey-Widman Gala at the Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse, NYC, in Frankfurt, Germany and studied Italian in Florence Italy.  This led her to return to her first love of being a singer-songwriter and she then began to pave her own artistic path.    

In addition to many College campuses nationwide and Regional and National NACA showcases, she has performed at the legendary Bluebird Cafe-Nashville, Tribeca PAC NYC, The Ridgefield Playhouse-CT,  The Marin Music Festival-SFThe Winterfolk Blues Festival-TorontoThe Clearwater Festival, NYThe Javitz Center NYC for JEEP, Eddie's Attic, Atlanta, The Celebrity Golf Classic with Hootie and the Blowfish & the Music Farm-Charleston, SC, the Orange Bowl Beach Bash, Miami, The Mint, LA,  the legendary Jazz & Cabaret Oak Room@the Algonquin NYC,The Towne Crier, NY, Uncommon Ground, Chicago, the Stephen Talkhouse, The Living Room, Makor, The Cutting Room & The Bitter End to name a few. Elza's voice will move you by the way she simply bares her soul. She is equally passionate about leading her artist mentoring programs and performing as she is to making a difference through her music.  

She is available as a solo singer songwriter, or with her Trio, Jeff Eyrich on Stand Up Bass and Tom Seguso or Pete Wilhoit on Drums and Percussion.  

For media requests please contact:

Cindy Kurman 

prcindy@kurman.com 

Kurman Communications, Inc. -Chicago, IL

312.651.9000


Band Members