Ellen Peroni and the Encyclopedia of Soul

Ellen Pieroni is a seasoned sax player, multi-instrumentalist, music educator + promoter. She has been playing the saxophone since she was eight years old and has been a sidewoman in a multitude of bands for about a decade. Pieroni has contributed to many projects over the years.

Her current project – Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul (EoS) – presents a refreshing brand of smooth-infused soul jazz. Although the group is inspired by artists such as Grover Washington Jr., Freddie Hubbard, King Curtis, and the Crusaders, EoS puts an emphasis on new original music.

Sparked by a collaboration between Pieroni, Adam Bronstein (guitar), and James Benders (bass) over their mutual love of the band Stuff, the Encyclopedia of Soul was formed in a basement in February of 2022. The trio worked through the rough drafts of Pieroni’s original compositions and found a sound that was uniquely their own. In April of 2022, the trio connected with what is now the band’s current lineup with the addition of Tyler James (keys) and Isaiah Gethers (drums).