Jazz singer Elli Fordyce was born on March 31, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City. Elli 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 30 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” ... doesn't sing by rote, and her vocal ideas are full of imagination and personality, but neither does she detract from the beauty of the melody ... it is clear that Elli Fordyce knows ... the real meaning of 'cool.'” (Brad Walseth, http://www.jazzchicago.net/)
Since then, Ellis has released the CD “Songs Spun Of Gold”. To quote her, “It's never too late!”
Elli Fordyce talks about herself and sings,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGY6dTkVmmI
Reference -AAJ
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