Biography
Originally from Manhattan, Elli Fordyce is a highly accomplished vocalist and actor. She has performed all over the New York Metro area and elsewhere in the U.S. and North America, including appearances in the New York Cabaret Convention and various festivals. Elli also has numerous acting credits: Film - September 12th, TV - Chappelle's Show, and Theatre - Guys & Dolls.
Prior to returning to New York 31 years ago, Elli took time away from her musical journey. The first time was to devote herself to family; unexpectedly, the next 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 "Elli Fordyce And Her Favorite Things" tour ended abruptly, leaving scars of several kinds.
Soon after, Elli stopped singing for 15 years ("Not even Happy Birthday or in the shower") and focused firmly on much needed physical and spiritual healing. But music was not over for her. A ginger-colored Yorkie pup named Dindi (pronounced Gingy, meaning "little jewel" in Portuguese and the title of Elli's favorite Jobim bossa nova) got her back to singing with the discovery that Dindi loved to hear Elli sing it to her.
With inspiration renewed, Elli joined a cabaret workshop taught by the brilliant MAC-Award-winning singer-songwriter Lina Koutrakos; soon after she came under the influence of Barry Harris, renowned jazz pianist/educator to whom she gives much of the credit for putting her squarely back on the path, a comeback 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 [but] better late than never ... [Fordyce] 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 ... [they're] very lucky to have your new tracks for their enjoyment at radioIO." (drmike, www.radioIO.com).
A wonderful review by Rob Lester may also be read at http://www.talkinbroadway.com/sound/march2708.html.
Currently, word is getting out about a new CD, "Songs Spun Of Gold" (available at http://cdbaby.com/ellifordyce2), which garnered Grammy attention with 6 Pre-nominations. To quote this 72-year-old jazz vocalist, "It's never too late!"
