Elaine Delmar

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. I was about 17 when my father, a trumpet player, invited me to sing at his gig - he needed a cheap singer! I got my first gown, sat by the sax players with my lyrics and keys book, and sang nervously as people danced. My first pro gig! What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Bill Evans, The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 (Live) [Remastered] Remastered Gil Evans, New Bottle, Old Wine Shirley Horn, Here's To Life In 1964, I toured with Cannonball Adderley as a guest. This album amazed me- what a player! Shirley Horn's slow, tasteful phrasing was unmatched, and Bill Evans, with whom I played at Ronnie's, influenced everyone. 'My Foolish Heart' is sublime. Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “Tea for Two (feat. Barry Green)” It's a revisit of an old song; it wasn’t originally meant to be sung that way. I’ve added a romantic spin to it. I love performing the verse that precedes it and then moving into this very slow, quite surprising version. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? In the 80s, I performed with Michel Legrand at Fairfield Halls, doing a Yentl medley he asked me to learn. He conducted, sang, and played the solo, with a huge choir and his stunning orchestrations. The audience loved it! Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? No, every show brings something new, even in the most unusual or mundane settings. With this wonderful band, each performance offers something unique. I’m not sure what exactly—or what the future holds or what I'd like to do next.