‘Even when execution was flawed, Delmar’s understanding of how to finesse and interpret a song was apparent.’
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JBGB Events have produced five concerts celebrating 100 of the 20th century’s greatest songs. For the final concert, hosted at London’s The Other Palace, established jazz vocalist Elaine Delmar performed standards from the likes of George Gershwin and Cole Porter. Accompanying her were Simon Thorpe on double bass and Barry Green on piano.
Daughter of Jamaican trumpeter Leslie George “Jiver” Hutchinson, Delmar was born in Hertforshire, England and raised in North London. Drawing upon her parents’ love for Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald amongst others, Delmar began her solo career as a touring vocalist in the 1950s before exploring London’s musical theatre scene in the 1960s. With a handful of jazz albums under her belt over the years, Delmar performs mainly on luxury cruise ships (‘the new vaudeville’ she believes) and in cabarets.
Vocally, age has somewhat taken its toll. Her upper-register was occasionally stretched beyond its limits, with her voice also faltering on songs with trickier cadence. That said, she still is able to harness warm low tones and use different shades of her voice intuitively – with a surprisingly robust chest belt.
Even when execution was flawed, Delmar’s understanding of how to finesse and interpret a song was apparent. She milked every lyric of Porter’s beguiling ‘Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall In Love’ and captured a serene moment with Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ – backed solely by Thorpe’s double bass. ‘I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues’, composed by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Don George, saw Thorpe and Green colour around Delmar’s theatrical yet pointed delivery.
For more jazz events hosted by JBGB, please visit their website here.
Elaine Delmar – ‘S’Wonderful’
Elaine Delmar – ‘What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsWv3MqLm5U
(Image taken from Elaine Delmar’s website)
