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Ellen Pieroni is a soul jazz saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY. Shehas 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.
Pieroni’s smooth-infused soul jazz band Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul, or EoS,
was recently featured on NPR’s All Things Considered as one of three “jazz stand outs” for the
2024 Tiny Desk Contest, where Felix Contreras said that “soul jazz is alive and well with…Ellen
Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul.” 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.
“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, NPR’s All Things Considered
Sparked by a mutual love of the band Stuff, The Encyclopedia of Soul was founded in 2022. The
band’s first recording, I Know That’s Right (Live at The Beat Barn), featured local legend Darryl
Washington (brother of Grover Washington, Jr.) on drums. On recordings and on stage, the
band features a rotating cast of talented collaborators, including Adam Bronstein (guitar), Isaiah
Gethers (drums), Dom Missana (bass), James Benders (bass), Jacob Nicholson (keys), Tyler
James (keys), and Marvin Cj Smith (keys).
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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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2158 Mercer-Butler Pike, Grove City, PA, United States
