Meet Elena Gilliam | Jazz Vocalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elena Gilliam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elena, why did you pursue a creative career?
As a child I was painfully shy. It wasn’t until I went to college that I became determined to grow personally, forcing myself to “come out of my shell”. I didn’t have many friends, so television became my good friend. Some of my favorite shows were the variety style with musical guests. Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, and more! I so enjoyed “hanging out” with the musical guests. I knew that I liked to sing as a teenager, but it wasn’t until I went to college that I began to sing out more. Yet at that time I was still not seeing it as a profession. I wanted to be a high school counselor and at the time, you had to teach before you could counsel, so I went to college as a Spanish major. I loved languages and wanted to learn more, but it didn’t work out and I became disinterested in my courses. I moved to California on a whim. My brother was out here and encouraged me to move. When I got here, I found an office job at the Univ of California Irvine (where I remained for 30 years). During my first years at UCI, I began yearning to seek a career in music, so I began night classes at Orange Coast College, a community college in Costa Mesa. Beginning with Voice 1, in my mid twenties, They also had a popular vocal class where I used a microphone for the first time, I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue! I also had the chance at OCC to sign up for the OCC Big Band. What a thrill it was to sing in front a the Big Band. It was like a dream come true!
From that point, I began a my career in music slowly. I met a musician during a concert, who became my husband eventually. He got me started in a band and we’ve been playing music together ever since.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As I began my career, I realized there were things I didn’t care for about the music business. It’s a challenge having to prove yourself constantly and sometimes watching others gain opportunities over you. Competition with other vocalists can be a challenge, but I’ve always believed that there were enough opportunities for everyone. This experience continues to humble me as a person, which is a good thing! I now share that with younger vocalists by telling them that there will always be something or someone to keep you humble. Working full-time and raising our daughter kept my career at a part-time level for many years, but it also helped me mature as a vocalist slowly. I have a comfort in who I am and my life as it is now.
Even after working at UCI for 30 years, I was still not able to devote myself full time to music. I was helping to take care of my mother and mother-in-law over the last 10 years. Mostly it requires juggling time with my husband and daughter to make sure everything is taken care of. The truth is that life happens and we learn to go with the flow to make it happy!
Financially speaking, music is an expensive business, so you have to measure your opportunities and think ahead about how to handle this end of things. I’ve always worked at making my own opportunities, something I learned from my husband. That is, developing ideas of what you want to do in your career is important. Then the follow through! This road isn’t easy, but no road is easy. You will have choices to make always.
I want people to see me as a vocalist who loves music and expressing the meaning of songs. I love jazz and singing the songs of amazing composers of music! I also sincerely appreciate those vocalists who have come before me and shown us the beauty of jazz. When I get to heaven I have many to thank!
I want to be remembered for being a vocalist who performs with sincerity and love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here in California it’s easy to find beauty in the landscape, music, even shopping! I’d plan outings by the ocean of course. Huntington Beach has great restaurants and a cool vibe as does Venice Beach and Santa Monica. There are many places to dine! I’d also plan a show or two in LA. Music is easy to find in many genres. There are too many choices to narrow down

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband George Gilliam has been the backbone of my career in music. He got me started in music when I didn’t know what to do. He believed in my talent and encouraged me to grow, even before we were married. Even now, he continues to help me with a huge recording project utilizing an orchestra and jazz band. He’s an amazing guy and talented musician who has sacrificed a lot for our family and has always stood behind my singing career. I’d like to dedicate this shout out to George!

I hit another marked point in my career about 10 years ago, a few years after I retired from my day job. I was performing at the famous Light House in Hermosa Beach. Coming off the stage I almost tripped over my long dress down a narrow set of stairs, and a woman came up to help me. Jan Stephens became one of my dearest friends and helped to boost my career. We traveled to many different locations throughout a wide area to find venues for performing and she helped me with publicizing my shows. She also introduced me to Michael LeVan who became my primary accompanist and friend. This was a transitional time for me as my husband was working very hard with his amazing organization, Creative Identity. He studied music therapy in the 90’s, became certified and went on to become founder and Executive Director of this non-profit program for developmentally disabled adults. It’s a program that uses music and the arts to enhance the lives of his clients. His time became more limited and he strongly encouraged me to work more on my own. I believe the last 10 years has been a real period of growth as a vocalist. I’m forever grateful not only to my husband and musical partner George, but also to Jan and Michael for their influence in my growth.

Website: www.elenagilliam.com

Instagram: @elenagilliamjazz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elena.gilliam

Youtube: @elenagilliamjazz

Image Credits
Shaina House