Eliane Amherd Monday, May 23rd Bar Next Door

A native of Switzerland who currently resides in the Big Apple, singer/songwriter/guitarist/arranger Eliane Amherd is a truly multifaceted artist. Check out her incomparable vocals, memorable lyrics, distinctive melodies, admirable guitar-playing skills, and cosmopolitan Pan-American/transatlantic approach throughout her entirely original repertoire, in which she successfully combines various U.S. forms with multiple Cuban/Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms, from the bold funk/soul impact of the opening title track (remixed at the end as the percussive section of an escola de samba) to the joyful calypso chorus of Me Fe Tan Pliji to the refined jazz atmosphere of Where is Home. Not to mention the delightful 1960s bossa sound of Let Me Explain or the graceful blues character of Steady and Slow.

Acclaimed as “a terrific guitarist” by the self-proclaimed cubano postizo (fake Cuban) Marc Ribot and hailed as “one of the very best singers in New York” by trumpeter Randy Brecker, Amherd is backed by a compatible crew comprised of two Brazilians (bassist Gustavo Amarante and percussionist Ze Mauricio) and two Afro-Americans (vibist Bill Ware and drummer Willard Dyson) with permanent domiciles in New York City.

In addition to the world’s finest watches and chocolate delicacies, whenever reference is made —now and from now on— to the impressive contributions made by the native Alpine nation of William Tell, one must acknowledge the peculiar musical artistry of Eliane Amherd.

—Luis Tamargo