Elena Pinderhughes – I hope you feel it too

Today, flutist, composer, and vocalist Elena Pinderhughes announced an October 23 release date for her debut album i hope you feel it too.

Known as one of the most sought after collaborators across genres, the album marks the multi-dimensional musician stepping into the spotlight. The announcement comes with the newest single “ring ring,” where listeners can hear her range between jazz and R&B become distinctly her own: flute steps into the role of lead vocal over an infectious groove that feels soulful, effortless and impossible not to move to.

“‘ring ring’ is really about feeling,” says Pinderhughes. “I wanted the flute to lead a groove that felt soulful, effortless and impossible not to move to. It’s one of those songs I hope people don’t have to think too hard about. You can just put it on, and before you know it, it’s become part of your day.” “ring ring” follows Elena’s recently released debut single as a solo artist “life goes on (feat. Immanuel Wilkins),” which was covered by Vibe, Essence, Ones to Watch, and more. In addition to Wilkins, frequent collaborator Chief Adjuah and her brother Samora Pinderhughes appear on i hope you feel it too.

Pinderhughes’ debut full-length album follows a decade of being one of the most sought-after collaborators across genres, having toured with Herbie Hancock, performed at Coachella with Future and Metro Boomin, and appeared on recordings by Giveon, Victoria Monét, Ambrose Akinmusire, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, Common, Terrace Martin, and many more. Having played in ensembles on NPR’s Tiny Desk four times, she has amassed 40M+ streams on the music of her collaborators, and has performed on such stages as the White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center.

Raised in the Bay Area’s progressive cultural landscape, Elena Pinderhughes is a groundbreaking artist known for expanding jazz’s emotional range. With music that feels both tender and sensual, mysterious and direct, and grounded in feminine creative vision without apology, she channels an unguarded, deeply personal voice that few in the genre have dared to show. Informed by shaping the music of her collaborators, she seamlessly weaves R&B and neo-soul to make a statement that is as grooving and danceable as it is rooted in the jazz tradition.

“The jazz that raised me is music for life: dancing, falling in love, Friday nights with friends,” says Pinderhughes. “Touring the world and performing on some of the biggest stages showed me something I couldn’t ignore: too often, jazz lives in spaces defined by preservation and distance, treated as something to admire rather than something to feel. I never believed that was its destiny. I wanted to make something that brought it back to where it started, back to feeling, back to everyday life. The truest way I knew how to do that was through the instrument I’ve trusted my whole life to say what I can’t quite say in words. Every breath through my flute carries more truth than language usually lets me get to. This album holds heartbreak, tenderness, confidence, uncertainty, joy, sensuality, grief, and the complicated experience of growing into yourself.”

Tour Dates:

November 2-3 – New York, NY – Blue Note

November 4 – Philadelphia, PA – The Loft @ City Winery Philadelphia

November 6 – Orlando, FL – Judson’s

November 7 – Brattleboro, VT – Vermont Jazz Center

#iamelena