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Biography
Eli Staples has been leaping across genres of music and styles since his first professional gig with a big band at the age of 16. With formal training as a classical organist and as a jazz pianist, he might have ended up immediately in the concert hall, but it was in the diverse music scene and nightlife of Washington, D.C. that he found his inspiration. He has performed in a vast array of genres including jazz, rock, R&B, cuban, Brazilian, funk, classical, and tango, and travelled around the world doing it.
His credits include performances with pop artists Robin Thicke and Journey, touring with R&B artists Maya, Ashanti (both multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning artists) and K'Jon; jazz artists Nneena Freelon and Bryan Lynch (six-time Grammy nominee and Grammy award winner, respectively) and nationally-known contemporary jazz artists Karen Briggs, Cindy Bradley, Jessy J, Ken Navarro, Jaared, and Grainger.
His career as a singer/songwriter features his intelligent and quirky lyrics supported by his lyrical and impressive pianism on his EP, Grand Theft Auto.
Some of his previous career highlights include opening for Prince with Mya at London's O2 Arena, appearing on the Today Show in Rockefeller Plaza with Ashanti for the release of her "Chapter II" album, and being a featured artist with the National Philharmonic at Strathmore Hall in Washington, D.C.