Delilah

We are pleased to announce that famed Jazz and Blues artist Delilah, will be delighting all with her performance at the 2010 Dingo Creek Jazz & Blues Festival.

There is no doubt about it, Delilah is a born performer, a born entertainer. At the early age of 4 years Delilah was entertaining neighbourhood kids in her backyard in Baltimore, Maryland, charging one cent for admission. Later, inspired by the gospel music of her church choir, more interested in singing in school concerts then reading textbooks, Delilah with stardom in her eyes, headed for San Francisco, singing Jazz and Rhythm & Blues in a Pizza Parlour. Delilah’s undoubtable talents were quickly recognized alongside the likes of Sly Stone and Bobby Freeman.

Bookings in Canada resulted and were followed by a successful trip to Japan. Delilah’s professionalism was however then cultivated over a five-year period spent in Las Vegas. There, she was recognised for the great performer she is, appearing with people such as the late Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jnr., Lou Rawls, Robert Goulet (and the list goes on). This period set the mould of a very versatile singer, performer and actress.

A trip to Australia in the early 70s paved the way to an extensive, successful tour of South East Asia. The demand was such that she took in Indonesia, Taiwan, Bangkok, the Philippines and Hong Kong. A trail of rave reviews remained in her wake, wherever she performed. Hong Kong took her to heart, as many then and now are found to do. A weekly television show “Just Delilah” followed amidst modelling assignments and a film. Delilah’s desire to return to her favourite country, Australia, was fulfilled when she returned to play in the stage production “The Wiz”. It was around that time that Delilah decided to make Sydney her home.

This tall, slim and sensuous lady has appeared regularly on every major national television show, such as Bert Newton’s “Good Morning Australia“, Dave Allen’s “Live across Australia” and many more. Her voice and character, her ability as a performer are welcomed for the variety and strength they transmit to an audience. At the time Delilah made a big hit in the disco scene and became firmly established on the club circuit, topped by nomination as the “Queen of Disco”, which highlights the fact that she is a very talented and versatile lady.

Delilah also performed in Tokyo at the World Popular Song Festival 1979, where she wooed the audience with her great performance of the song “Here and Now“, winning the Most Outstanding Performance Award as well as the “Most Attractive Female Performer” Award.

Since then and up until the present time Delilah has “paid her dues”, proved herself to be worthy of being noted by many, far and wide. On all levels her professionalism, her voice, her truly talented personality has been proving itself to audiences on all levels. She’s done Disco, she’s done Rock ‘n’ Roll, she’s done Blues, she’s done Soul, ‘cos she’s got soul. This lady can go anywhere and do anything, ‘cos she’s got it all. She’s the spirit of the blues, a little Ella, a little Aretha, a little Lou Rawls, yes! Lou Rawls. Her show takes you from Pop to Country, Rhythm and Blues, to Jazz ballads that makes one’s hair stand on end. There’s rock, like her raunchy rendition of Blueberry Hill. She crosses the age barriers like no other. Delilah’s creative performances bring an element of theatre to the stage, to the audience. She gets them up there with her, she gets down there with them.

‘ … Delilah definitely has the ‘edge’ and James Brown has the ‘edge’ and Hendrix, Morrison and Billie Holiday had the ‘edge’ “
Greg Perano, On The Street 17/10/90

Delilah’s stage presentation is truly in the style of the greats, and that’s why in 1990 John Singleton, David Hollins and Mike Gordon saw her as the lady for their 5 million dollar advertising campaign for Campbell’s Cash and Carry though, once again it was Delilah’s wit and humour that added that bit extra. This highly successful campaign has increased her value as an asset to any organisation which employs her diverse talents.

Delilah is a must to see and hear. From the “old timers” to the “young bucks” Delilah performs in such a way that everyone finds something to take home in their memory pocket and something that brings them back next time for another serving. One can never get enough of what this lady has to offer.

Listen to Deleilah at http://www.australianjazzagency.com.au/acts/delilah/
Read the ABC “Spirit of Things” interview with Delilah