ABOUT

Elena Ayodele Pinderhughes is a flutist, vocalist, composer, and songwriter, described by The Guardian as the “most exciting and creatively assured jazz flutist to have emerged in years”. Mentored by some of the nation’s best Afro-Latin and jazz musicians, Elena’s music is deeply rooted in African Diasporic lineage, culture, and musical traditions, and its vast array of rhythms, melody, and harmony; but her unique voice and flute playing style bring her musicality, harmony, rhythm, and culture to create a sound all her own. She has performed in venues and festivals throughout the world, including Carnegie Hall, the White House, North Sea Jazz Festival, Coachella Music Festival, and The Kennedy Center. In 2022 she collaborated with Lionel Loueke to compose “A Diaspora Journey,” a five-part Suite that explored musical traditions that have uplifted the Black community in the context of oppression, racism, and social inequality, featured at the Monterey Jazz Festival. She is currently touring with Herbie Hancock, Chief Adjuah (formally Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah), Terri Lyne Carrington, Gerald Clayton, Etienne Charles, and Common. In addition to her performing career, Elena works with composer Laura Karpman in her filming scoring studio, Art Farm West, and was featured on her Academy Award nominated score for “American Fiction”.