Elaine Dame

“Elaine Dame sings standards with old-school insouciance, bringing plenty of rhythmic oomph to the swing she generates with her band (pianist Dennis Luxion, bassist Jake Vinsel, drummer Jon Dietemyer, and guitarist Andy Brown). But her devotion to classic jazz aesthetics doesn’t prevent her from mining gold from more contemporary sources—she makes agile vehicles of songs by the likes of Richard Thompson and Joni Mitchell.” ~Peter Margasak ~ The Chicago Reader

“Her new album You’re My Thrill is exactly what you’d expect from a consummate pro here in Chicago. The sidemen are a who’s who of top notch players in town, and the arrangements are refreshingly well thought out

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“Elaine Dame sings standards with old-school insouciance, bringing plenty of rhythmic oomph to the swing she generates with her band (pianist Dennis Luxion, bassist Jake Vinsel, drummer Jon Dietemyer, and guitarist Andy Brown). But her devotion to classic jazz aesthetics doesn’t prevent her from mining gold from more contemporary sources—she makes agile vehicles of songs by the likes of Richard Thompson and Joni Mitchell.” ~Peter Margasak ~ The Chicago Reader

“Her new album You’re My Thrill is exactly what you’d expect from a consummate pro here in Chicago. The sidemen are a who’s who of top notch players in town, and the arrangements are refreshingly well thought out. There’s a lot to like here, from a rather grooving take on “You’re My Thrill” to a really nice run through of “I Was Doing All Right.” ~WDCB Jazz Radio

“Dame’s interpretive gifts-which are through the roof-do what jazz is meant to do: turn these well-worn tunes into a revelatory and often very witty set of commentaries on each other. This song list is constructed like a roller-coaster ride over the radiant heights and the devastated depths of the modern landscape of modern romance. Her voice is capable of doing whatever she asks of it-from an extended staccato run to a single word teased by a beguiling melisma – but it’s the choices behind these technical feats that are the real story. Everything is in the service of of the narrative; the beauty of her instrument is guided by the shrewdness of her instincts and her instincts are infallible.” ~New City

“Her joy in the act of singing is obvious throughout the entirety of “Comes Love.” Dame combines a freshness of approach, like the unpredictability of shifting meters Used to insert tension and increase the excitement of “Yesterdays,” with an unaffected fondness for the music she sings. That fondness is evident in the unadorned respect she pays for a classic song like “What’ll I Do?” The result is a clear-eyed approach to her material that remains accessible to a broad cross section of listeners, potentially enlarging the audience for jazz.” ~ Jazz Improv Magazine

“Dame takes songs and puts a unique stamp on them and while the arrangements and their performances are first-rate, it’s Dame’s vocals that create the most interest… The achingly raw honesty, coupled with her fresh take makes “Comes Love” a recommended addition to one’s jazz library” ~ Gay Chicago Magazine

“From the start, it was apparent that Dame offered optimism, enthusiasm, and joy for both her partners and the jazz standards they played together. This musical attitude was just as appealing as her considerable vocal and flute playing skills...her intelligent phrasing proves she actually listens to the lyrics that she sings...a resounding musical success...” ~ Chicago Jazz Magazine

“Blessed with such purity of sound that clarions could take lessons, Dame expresses wide open honesty, and her clarity is matched note for note by her imagination...” ~ Jazz Times

”And artist who truly wants to sing and has dug deep down to do it. Dame’s first CD is very smooth and stylish. Every track is note perfect… an intimate, personal style… interpretation is clearly her forte, she shapes a song like she’s been doing it for years… Dame delivers the perfect twists and turns on every phrase, swinging from a whisper to a husky wail with confidence and panache” ~ Jazzreview.com

“a clear and powerful voice along with the ability to improvise with subtlety…an excellent scat singer…beautiful tone” ~ All Music Guide

“…a winning stage presence and a chameleon-like vocal flexibility” ~ The Chicago Reader

“Dame’s cool alto voice fits nicely with her instrumental support” ~ Cadence Magazine

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Primary Instrument

Vocalist

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

JAZZ SINGING LESSONS Elaine Dame, professional jazz vocalist and recording artist with fifteen years experience in the industry, is now accepting vocal jazz students in Chicago and the surrounding area. Learn correct breathing and posture, increase your range, endurance and control and learn the fundamentals of theory, phrasing, scatting and interpretation, with an emphasis on individuality, creativity and fun! My vocal instruction rates are extremely reasonable. FROM MY FIRST STUDENT "Thank you very much for having wonderful lessons

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Primary Instrument

Vocalist

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

JAZZ SINGING LESSONS Elaine Dame, professional jazz vocalist and recording artist with fifteen years experience in the industry, is now accepting vocal jazz students in Chicago and the surrounding area. Learn correct breathing and posture, increase your range, endurance and control and learn the fundamentals of theory, phrasing, scatting and interpretation, with an emphasis on individuality, creativity and fun! My vocal instruction rates are extremely reasonable. FROM MY FIRST STUDENT "Thank you very much for having wonderful lessons. You gave me courage, joy and freedom for singing. I was relaxed when I sang in front of you which was very unusual and I really liked my voice!! I can't thank you enough...." -Ryoko Chimomochi, a young Japanese woman who visited the States for several months.

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