Elia Bastida: From Classical Violin Student to Jazz Virtuoso

The history of jazz has been populated by masters of the trumpet, saxophone, trombone, clarinet, piano, bass, drums, and other associated instruments. Yet only a handful of legendary musicians have captivated jazz audiences with their creative mastery of the violin. Stephane Grappelli, Joe Venuti, and Jon-Luc Ponty firmly established themselves as virtuosos in their day. Beyond these three, however, the names of other great jazz violinists—past or present—don’t come to mind quite so easily. This will no doubt change before much longer, with an addition of Elia Bastida to the above list. A 26-year-old native and resident of Barcelona, Spain, Elia has been bringing the violin back to center stage at jazz venues across Europe, as well as on her own CD releases. And she’s been doing this since she was 17, when she came into the public eye after joining the Sant Andreu Jazz Band in 2012. The SAJB, led since its inception in 2006 by Joan Chamorro, has earned a steadily growing reputation as a band comprised of children and teenagers who, due to their own talents combined with Chamorro’s brilliant teaching and guidance, consistently play jazz standards with the polish and skill far beyond their young ages to enthusiastic audiences and millions of YouTube viewers around the world. Elia began violin lessons when she was five years old, and refers to the instrument as her “first l