Bio:
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 various festivals. Elli also has numerous acting credits: Film -- September 12th, TV -- Dave Cappelle's Show, and Live Theatre -- Guys & Dolls.
Prior to returning to New York 30 years ago, Elli spent several periods away from her musical journey. The first was to devote herself to family and, unexpectedly, another was 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 tour of "Elli Fordyce And Her Favorite Things" ended abruptly, leaving scars of several kinds. Elli stopped singing for 15 years ("Not 'Happy Birthday,' not in the shower") and focused firmly on much needed physical and spiritual healing.
But her musical journey wasn't over. A ginger-colored Yorkie pup named Dindi (pronounced Gingy and meaning "little jewel" in Portuguese as well as it being the title of Elli's favorite Jobim bossa nova) got her back to singing. Elli discovered that Dindi loved to hear Elli sing it to her. Inspiration renewed, Elli joined a cabaret workshop taught by the brilliant MAC-Award-winning singer-songwriter Lina Koutrakos and soon after came under the influence of Barry Harris, the renowned jazz pianist and educator to whom she gives much of the credit for putting her squarely back on the path meant for her. 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, www.jazzchicago.net) "I am enjoying your music so much! Your CD was a great surprise for me. I always [love] discovering great talent for our audience ... very lucky to have your new tracks for their enjoyment at radioIO." (drmike, www.radioIO.com). A wonderful review by Rob Lester may be read at http://www.talkinbroadway.com/sound/march2708.html.
And, to quote Elli, "It's never too late!"
The Players:
Harry Whitaker, piano: http://cdbaby.com/cd/hwhitaker
David Epstein, piano: http://www.singersforum.org/faculty.html#davide
Mark Wade, bass: http://www.singersforum.org/faculty.html#mark
Joe Strasser, drums: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=27301
Jim Malloy, vocal duets: http://www.cdbaby.com/jimmalloy
Joe Magnarelli, flugelhorn: http://www.joemagnarelli.com
Samuel Torres, percussions: http://www.samueltorres.com
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