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Elli Fordyce

Originally from Manhattan, Elli Fordyce is a highly accomplished vocalist and actor. She has performed all over the New York Metro area and other U.S. and North American cities, including an appearance in the New York Cabaret Convention and in various festivals. Elli also has numerous acting credits: Film — September 12th, TV — Cappelle's Show, and Live Theatre — Guys & Dolls. Prior to returning to New York 32 years ago, Elli took time away from her musical journey. The first was to devote herself to family, and unexpectedly, the next after a devastating accident on a snowy highway en route to a gig when the car carrying her quartet and equipment crashed into a disabled truck. A successful year-long "Elli Fordyce And Her Favorite Things" tour ended abruptly, leaving scars of several kinds. Soon after, Elli stopped singing for 15 years ("Not even to sing Happy Birthday, not even in the shower") and focused firmly on much needed physical and spiritual healing. Music was not over for her. A ginger-colored Yorkie pup named Dindi (pronounced Gingy, meaning "little jewel" in Portuguese as well as being the title of Elli's favorite Jobim bossa nova) got her back to singing. Elli discovered that Dindi loved Elli's singing it to her. With her inspiration renewed, Elli joined a cabaret workshop taught by brilliant MAC-Award-winning singer-songwriter Lina Koutrakos and, soon after, came under the tutelage of Barry Harris, renowned jazz pianist/educator, to whom she gives much of the credit for putting her squarely back on the path she was meant for. Making a comeback was inevitable. And come back Elli has! Her first CD, "Something STILL Cool," became an overnight sensation with rave reviews. "Whatever the term means ... you know it when you hear it. And Elli Fordyce is cool! ... as implied in the title, once cool, always cool, vintage cool ... Ms. Fordyce has the spirit and voice of one of the blessed, the spirit and stamina of eternal song." (Bob Gish, Jazz Improv-New York); "Fordyce's voice is lovely with strong command, a natural rhythmic touch and just a touch of a rough edge ... scatting with aplomb, she also shows a knack for the south-of-the-border sound .... a true showcase for a singer whom one wishes would have never had to give up singing for so long ... better late than never ... heartfelt version of "Something Cool" ...

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317
Album Review

Elli Fordyce: Something Still Cool with Jim Malloy

Read "Something Still Cool with Jim Malloy" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Elli Fordyce's Something Still Cool evokes an era when, if you shook a tree, several female jazz singers would fall out. The preponderance and preference for cool woman singers in the 1950s is the raison d'être that has eluded Fordyce over a multi-decade series of misfortunes that have only made this debut album available now.

A New Yorker, Fordyce was always a budding vocalist and was friends with Bobby ("Darin") Cassotto, then a drummer. When Fordyce's ...

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Event

Berkshires Jazz schedules special concert featuring Elli Fordyce, with the Jazz Tuber Trio

Berkshires Jazz schedules special concert featuring Elli Fordyce, with the Jazz Tuber Trio

Source: Ed Bride Associates

PITTSFIELD, MA: As part of its year-round commitment to live jazz, BerkshiresJazz.org has scheduled a special event on May 4. The double bill features NY-based vocalist Elli Fordyce, plus the Boston-based Jazz Tuber Trio. It will take place in the intimate setting of the backroom at Baba Louie's Sourdough Pizza, where Berkshires Jazz presented Armen Donelian in October, 2011, in one of the most memorable concerts ever presented by the non-profit organization. Elli Fordyce is a highly accomplished vocalist and ...

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Performance / Tour

Elli Fordyce Quartet Back by Popular Demand at Garage

Elli Fordyce Quartet Back by Popular Demand at Garage

Source: Elli Fordyce

On August 7th from 11:30am to 3:30pm, the Elli Fordyce Quartet, featuring Jeff Pittson on piano, Ratzo B. Harris on bass, Phil Stewart on drums, with Elli doing the vocals, will return for another great Greenwich Village Jazz Brunch. Expect a wonderful experience, surprises and a kicking straight-ahead jazz concert with your brunch, coffee or drinks, and all with no cover or minimum.

Garage Restaurant & Cafe 99 Seventh Avenue South New York, NY 10014

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Event

Jazz Vocalist/recording Artist Elli Fordyce & Her Trio Live At Garage Restaurant & Cafe

Jazz Vocalist/recording Artist Elli Fordyce & Her Trio Live At Garage Restaurant & Cafe

Source: Carol Green, Redwood Entertainment

New York, NY, June 15, 2011—In support of her latest successful CD release, Songs Spun of Gold, Elli Fordyce will be performing live for the Jazz brunch at the renowned Jazz venue Garage Restaurant & Café in the heart of Greenwich Village on Sunday, July 3, 2011, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 AM. In her performance at Garage, Elli will be performing songs from her effervescent, Songs Spun of Gold, as well as her previous well-received CD, Something Still Cool. ...

110

Event

Elli Fordyce, Jazz Vocalist/recording Artist, Opens Jazz Revolution II At The Shrine In NYC

Elli Fordyce, Jazz Vocalist/recording Artist, Opens Jazz Revolution II At The Shrine In NYC

Source: Carol Green, Redwood Entertainment

New York, NY,—In support of her latest successful CD release, Songs Spun of Gold, Elli Fordyce will be performing live at Aleksander Baldych's Jazz (R)Evolution II at The Shrine Bar, Restaurant/World Music Venue in NYC on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. In her performance at The Shrine, Elli will be performing songs from her effervescent, Songs Spun of Gold, as well as her previous well-received CD, Something Still Cool. She will be accompanied by talented Jazz ...

115

Performance / Tour

Jazz Vocalist/Recording Artist Elli Fordyce Live At Jerry’s Café In Tribeca

Jazz Vocalist/Recording Artist Elli Fordyce Live At Jerry’s Café In Tribeca

Source: Carol Green, Redwood Entertainment

New York, NY—In support of her latest successful CD release, Songs Spun of Gold, Elli Fordyce will be performing live at Jerry's Café in Tribeca in Manhattan on Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. At her performance at Jerry's Café Elli will be performing songs from her previous well-received CD release, Something Still Cool, and her latest effervescent outing, Songs Spun of Gold, and will be accompanied by two exceptionally talented Jazz veterans, Jeremy Manasia on piano ...

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Award / Grant

Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce Receives a Mac Award Nomination

Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce Receives a Mac Award Nomination

Source: CHC Network

Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce Receives A MAC Award Nomination For The Second Year In A Row

New York, NY -- Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce receives a MAC Award nomination for the second year in a row. The Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, NYCs only organization dedicated to advancing the art and business of live entertainment, has recognized Ellis newest release, Songs Spun Of Gold, as one of the years best.

To call Elli Fordyce a singer would be a ...

180

Performance / Tour

Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce Live in New York City

Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce Live in New York City

Source: Michael Ricci

Elli Fordyce will be performing live at The Metropolitan Room in New York City on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 7:30pm, in support of her most recent CD release, “Songs Spun of Gold." Featured will be Elli's Grammy-honored jazz vocals with the album's luminous musicians, led by Jeremy Manasia on piano, with Aaron Heick on alto and flute, Ratzo Harris on bass, Phil Stewart on drums, Samuel Torres on percussion and Jim Malloy singing on the duets. To call Elli ...

77

Performance / Tour

Jazz Singer Elli Fordyce at Papoo's April 25

Jazz Singer Elli Fordyce at Papoo's April 25

Source: Two for the Show Media


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Performance / Tour

Vocalist Elli Fordyce Live at the Jazz Gallery April 1

Vocalist Elli Fordyce Live at the Jazz Gallery April 1

Source: Two for the Show Media


161

Performance / Tour

Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce Celebrates Her 70th Birthday by Recording Her First Live-Performance CD!

Jazz Vocalist Elli Fordyce Celebrates Her 70th Birthday by Recording Her First Live-Performance CD!

Source: All About Jazz

If you will be in the Metro-New York area on April 1st, please join jazz singer Elli Fordyce while recording her first live-performance CD “Where Do You Start?" Be part of history-in-the-making in honor of her 70th birthday.

With her group which includes pianist Jeremy Manasia, bassist Neal Miner, drummer Joe Strasser and features Samuel Torres on percussion plus surprise guests. Celebrating Elli's 70th birthday, the event wil be held at The Jazz Gallery at 290 Hudson Street in Soho. ...

http://www.ElliFordyce.net/press.html

Primary Instrument

Vocals

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

I'm now coaching via Skype for all levels. I've sung jazz since I was 18 (at this writing nearly 60 years) and professionally since 1966, as well as learning many ways to holistically clear issues we have with creativity and performing. Working to free your "inner artist," I specialize in jazz-vocal coaching and life coaching — and the first sesion is always free. My Skype handle is ellifordyce, so please add me as a contact and email ([email protected]) to set up a time

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