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Twelve months later and I've got to know Elli a little more, not just with the content of the articles, but with the conversations that went on behind the scenes. She has met some of the greats in the jazz world. Overcome obstacles, changed careers many a time and re-introduced herself back into the world of music at the age of 71. If I had half her story to tell I would be more than content. The image below is based on this re-introduction and follows the theme of "phoenix".
Want to know more, start with article "Still very cool" and get reading. Elli thanks for taking part and taking the time out over 2009.
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After 11 months of questions, what do you feel as you read the words back?
Re-reading our first piece, I think it’s pretty thorough and I like it, except for where I pieced some of it together awkwardly with the new writing.
Reading it reminded me of an answer to your October question, which I then stopped to draft. I remembered assuming that first collaboration would be our only one, and I fleshed it out accordingly. At that point, I also mentioned some possibilities at the time which didn’t develop much. I also noticed that I was much more naive in January, had taken some inappropriate advice, and that I’m much better-managed, better self-managed and more knowledgeable now. This understanding lead to drafting the answer to your November question.
After re-reading all our pieces, I’m amazed at the quality of the work we’re synergistically doing. Your questions are so insightful and profound and I’m very happy with my responses (except for the typos missed while proofing – fresh eyes would help, something I’ll arrange if there’s no drastic improvement evident). Writing the pieces has often helped with a forthcoming interview, to counsel friends about their issues and/or to be more productive in my life-coaching work. I should probably re-read these periodically and take my own advice more seriously (LOL). The art work is so GORGEOUS and BRILLIANT and, though I’m not visually-oriented, the interplay between those concepts and the Q&As is stunning. Once again, thank you, Rajesh, for this opportunity. I hope we create many more in the series and that at some point it has broad distribution.
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You may also want to read the following articles covering Elli's life:
Elli Fordyce – Still very cool
Elli Fordyce – In the light she dances...
Elli Fordyce – What's your type?
Elli Fordyce – No More Blues
Elli Fordyce – Inspiration
Elli Fordyce – Change
Elli Fordyce – Set in Stone
Elli Fordyce – The Writing's on the Wall
Elli Fordyce – Reflections
Elli Fordyce – Alone
Elli Fordyce – What the future holds...
Elli Fordyce – It ain't over
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Free Wallpaper Images
On behalf of Elli - download your desktop wallpaper images by [clicking here]
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Useful Links
Elli Fordyce's Website: www.ellifordyce.com
You can follow Elli on twitter @ElliFordyce
Management: Redwood Entertainment [see artists page]
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CD and samples available from | iTunes | CD Baby | Amazon | Napster | AmieST |
Certain images are provided and owned by © 2009 Elli Fordyce |
Desktop images and text created by R27 | © 2009 R27 Creativelab
What would you like the future to hold, more often we hear vague wants, so its nice to hear about very defined goals...
A quick note before we begin - you can hear samples of Elli's music at the end of the article and download desktop images.
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What does the near future hold for you or more importantly what would you like it to hold ... ?
"Songs Spun of Gold" will also be submitted for MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) nominations again but this time not at the last minute and on our own volition instead of at the suggestion of one of the MAC committee members, as occurred with my CD, “Something Still Cool” (which was nominated in the best jazz-vocal-recording category).
A rising star in jazz (who’s befriended me and my music) and I will have become closer, shared more support and help, and her offer to help me spread the word will have begun to materialize.
My management will have submitted me for jazz festivals, which is a lengthy process but one whose bookings I feel ready for, having recently performed locally on a jazz stage with a top-flight trio in a small festival. That performance surpassed my hopes and expectations despite many good excuses for it to not do so (rain keeping much of the potential audience away, a change of location, starting late waiting for equipment for that location and my loosing a temporary crown on a front tooth hours before going on and wearing chewing gum in its place while performing).
A piece I just wrote responses for in Jazz Spotlight (a NY magazine) will be out, a number of new radio interviews will have been heard, links to both sent out and printouts added to the press pack … and so it goes. With any luck, the economy will have improved enough for a few more booking possibilities to open for an unknown who’s starting to catch some industry interest.
Twitter friends and other supporters will have multiplied and their help will be effective in hooking up more (which is always so appreciated).
I would like to have a home base, such as the restaurant across-the-street where I’ll debut on September 29th (“this or something better, please, Universe”). I would like to perform locally at least on an average of once a week and off-and-on at a few better jazz venues in New York City with which it’s helpful and rewarding for a budding jazz vocalist to be associated.
I’d like for my fledgling local version of Starbucks, “Beans and Bulbs” – see @beansandbulbs on Twitter – owned by a neighbor, to open its second and bigger store in its planned chain, where it will also sell my CDs in addition to online, and for that relationship to expand in ways that are mutually beneficial.
I’d like a tour developed and my following growing internationally, nationally and locally. I’d like to be on radio more, be on TV, and to do live presentations, getting out my messages and music more broadly.
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You may also want to read the following articles covering Elli's life:
Elli Fordyce – Still very cool
Elli Fordyce – In the light she dances...
Elli Fordyce – What's your type?
Elli Fordyce – No More Blues
Elli Fordyce – Inspiration
Elli Fordyce – Change
Elli Fordyce – Set in Stone
Elli Fordyce – The Writing's on the Wall
Elli Fordyce – Reflections
Elli Fordyce – Alone
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Free Wallpaper Images
On behalf of Elli - download your desktop wallpaper images by [clicking here]
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Useful Links
Elli Fordyce's Website: www.ellifordyce.com
You can follow Elli on twitter @ElliFordyce
Management: Redwood Entertainment [see artists page]
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CD and samples available from | iTunes | CD Baby | Amazon | Napster | AmieST |
Certain images are provided and owned by © 2009 Elli Fordyce |
Desktop images and text created by R27 | © 2009 R27 Creativelab
Just when you think you know whats coming someone throws a curve ball on what we call belief.
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Describe the loneliest time while you were on stage and why?
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You may also want to read the following articles covering Elli's life:
Elli Fordyce – Still very cool
Elli Fordyce – In the light she dances...
Elli Fordyce – What's your type?
Elli Fordyce – No More Blues
Elli Fordyce – Inspiration
Elli Fordyce – Change
Elli Fordyce – Set in Stone
Elli Fordyce – The Writing's on the Wall
Elli Fordyce - Reflections
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Free Wallpaper Images
On behalf of Elli - download your desktop wallpaper images by [clicking here]
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Useful Links
Elli Fordyce's Website: www.ellifordyce.com
You can follow Elli on twitter @ElliFordyce
Management: Redwood Entertainment [see artists page]
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CD and samples available from | iTunes | CD Baby | Amazon | Napster | AmieST |
Certain images are provided and owned by © 2009 Elli Fordyce |
Desktop images and text created by R27 | © 2009 R27 Creativelab
Most of us only see the tell tale signs after we have passed them and more often too late. But if we look back the signposts are all there. The Writing's on the Wall...
A quick note before we begin - you can hear samples of Elli's music at the end of the article and download desktop images.
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The writing's on the wall ... As you chose directions to go over the years, what tell-tale signs did / do you look for to guide you?
Unfortunately, until the past few years I've been better at backing away from situations or issues, much more often reacting rather than looking for signs or planning ahead. Worse, I usually depended on outside encouragement instead of self-motivation to plunge forward. But fortunately there were many of those over the years; some examples:
When I first sat in with a jazz trio at 18, the leader offered to coach and include me in a cabaret show, and then extended the invitation to include singing every night that summer. Being very shy, that made me feel for the first time that I had more potential than I'd thought and that, after all, singing this music I so adored was even possible.
When I landed at college for Freshman Orientation that fall of 1955, I heard about auditions for the Freshman Talent Show, tried out with a jazz trio, made the cut and sang for 1000 Freshmen, faculty and others who were on-campus early. Then I began sitting in with the trio at their small local gigs and it felt like my "career" was launched.
But my new boyfriend strongly objected and I immediately caved. In those days, it was so common for women to give up their plans for men and this gave me the excuse I needed to stop dead in-my-tracks and not go through all the trials and tribulations I was sure would ensue to really to go for it. In addition I had no confidence that I could ever be "good enough." Struggling over the years with that issue, I wonder if it isn't common to nearly every artist, often moving neck-and-neck with their passion.
After returning to college, and singing with a jazz trio on a regional TV talk show with other locals, a music teacher at school expressed excitement about my performance; he was very encouraging and it made me feel again that I was on the right track.
Years later, when my band broke up after a car accident on tour and the next band I was in was abandoned by its founder, I decided it was time to delve more deeply into metaphysics rather than buck the tide that seemed to be going against me.
However, while continuing to study the dynamics of life and workings of mind/body/spirit during my many withdrawals from music, when support and opportunities seemed to converge I'd feel extra motivation and give a more determined push forward. Only then would I notice that it all integrates and I'd reached new creative levels, even in the apparent interim.
In today's jazz market (and historically), things are too unpredictable to make precise plans; I therefore work with the most supportive and compatible people I can, arm myself as much as possible, take the next step and await what unfolds. My manager, who is far more experienced than I, seems to have a better handle on what to do on my behalf (maybe Rajesh should have asked her to write this?). Meanwhile, I try to keep my spirits and health up, make whatever progress possible with what's in front of me, drop as much resistance out of the picture as my spiritual understanding allows me to release and hope for the best. As Jack Canfield (co-author of the "Chicken Soup" work) says, while driving a long distance at night we only need to see the 200 feet in front of us revealed by our headlights, stay on the road and move forward. That's what I "look for" as guidance and other things which provide a jolt of excitement or extra impetus often pop up when I least expect them.
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You may also want to read the following articles covering Elli's life:
Elli Fordyce – Still very cool
Elli Fordyce – In the light she dances...
Elli Fordyce – What's your type?
Elli Fordyce – No More Blues
Elli Fordyce – Inspiration
Elli Fordyce – Change
Elli Fordyce – Set in Stone
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Free Wallpaper Images
On behalf of Elli - download your desktop wallpaper images by [clicking here]
Available in the various screen sizes. If there are any particular screen sizes that would suit you more then leave a message and I'll arrange it for you...
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Useful Links
Elli Fordyce's Website: www.ellifordyce.com
You can follow Elli on twitter @ElliFordyce
Management: Redwood Entertainment [see artists page]
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CD and samples available from | iTunes | CD Baby | Amazon | Napster | AmieST |
Certain images are provided and owned by © 2009 Elli Fordyce |
Desktop images and text created by R27 | © 2009 R27 Creativelab
Whether we realise it or not we all have a few rules that we follow, consciously or subconsciously. The trick is to realise what works for you early on in the game and move forward...
A quick note before we begin - you can hear samples of Elli's music at the end of the article and download desktop images.
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With so many artists in the music arena falling wayward and going off the edge, what keeps you grounded?
I'm not THAT grounded, but what keeps me more grounded than I would be if not proactive about it, is: (1) deliberately choosing to and as much as possible working only with very effective people, (2) focusing in as much as possible on taking one step at-a-time, and (3) working as needed on my own issues, either alone or by getting help (coaching, training and exchanging with people with whom I can learn or who help people expand in personal growth). The internet is an enormous resource for tools, contacts and recommendations, and I take advantage of the embarrassment of riches which appears on my radar everyday.
More specifically, while now launching my second jazz-vocal CD, I work with a proven team of promo people and completed production with the same wonderful engineer with whom I co-produced the first CD. Working with people you trust is very important, then following up personally as best you can. Twitter is a site on which I particularly enjoy connecting, getting the word out about my CD and performances and sharing other information. To get and keep my perspective, I speak with my new manager who has many years of experience and a very proactive approach. With her help, I regain a degree of patience when things aren't zooming forward the way we'd prefer due to the economic state. As far as the big-picture view goes, I'm sure that the music "world" will, as always, evolve new ways for professionals to move forward. I hope to be one of those who capitalizes on these and am taking my baby steps in the mean while.
What are your creative Rules for Life: Something that you have set in stone and will not stray from?
I strive to become less and less rigid and fixed in my viewpoints. This applies to my music -- in which I'm relatively improvisational -- career and to life in general. However, what I'm most stubborn about is being with/working with only the most proactive, creative and positive people I can no matter what the area. When I sense or it becomes obvious that the fit with someone isn't working, I let it go and find others with whom there's a better match; it's important to know when to "cut your losses." Everyone is more productive and a lot happier in the collaborative process and in any relationship when they agree on basics, have similar energy or attitudes or all of the above. Though I can't always be as picky as I'd like, when possible I make choices based on those criteria and trust my gut.
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You may also want to read the following articles covering Elli's life:
Elli Fordyce – Still very cool
Elli Fordyce – In the light she dances...
Elli Fordyce – What's your type?
Elli Fordyce – No More Blues
Elli Fordyce – Inspiration
Elli Fordyce – Change
--------------
Free Wallpaper Images
On behalf of Elli - download your desktop wallpaper images by [clicking here]
Available in the various screen sizes. If there are any particular screen sizes that would suit you more then leave a message and I'll arrange it for you...
--------------
Useful Links
Elli Fordyce's Website: www.ellifordyce.com
You can follow Elli on twitter @ElliFordyce
Management: Redwood Entertainment [see artists page]
--------------
CD and samples available from | iTunes | CD Baby | Amazon | Napster | AmieST |
Certain images are provided and owned by © 2009 Elli Fordyce |
Desktop images and text created by R27 | © 2009 R27 Creativelab