About Elaine Dame

"Dame has risen to the top ranks of Chicago jazz singers."

—Neil Tesser, author of Playboy Guide to Jazz and Grammy Award-winning jazz journalist

Elaine Dame is a vocal powerhouse celebrated across the nation and when she sings, people stop and listen. Celebrated as “a jazz dynamo” by Time Out Chicago and renowned as “a gem in the city’s vocal jazz scene,” Elaine's commanding presence and extraordinary talent have made her a sought-after fixture at premier venues coast to coast.

From electrifying performances at the legendary Rainbow Room and 54 Below in New York City to headlining appearances at the Chicago Jazz Festival in 2015 and 2025, as well as a standout engagement at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill in Los Angeles, Elaine consistently elevates every stage she touches. Her virtuosic interpretations blend modern standards with vintage vocal classics, resonating with both jazz aficionados and new audiences alike.

More than just a singer, Elaine exudes genuine joy and magnetic stage presence—qualities that elevate her performances to artful experiences. An alumna of The Theater Repertory Program at California State Northridge, she initially made her mark in Chicago’s vibrant theater scene before dedicating her exceptional talents solely to jazz. Her deep understanding of stagecraft and emotion is evident with every note, and the Chicago Reader lauded her as “a singer with a winning stage presence and chameleon-like vocal flexibility.”

Elaine Dame continues to redefine vocal jazz with her artistry, versatility, and innate magnetism.