“… deliciously engaging… funny… truthful... More, please, Mr. Edelfelt.”

— Cabaret Scenes

“David Edelfelt “probably sounds great singing the weather forecast… he’s just blessed with a luxuriant instrument.”

— Chicago Tribune

There was a time I thought I would pursue performing as a career. But I finally came to understand that my true calling had more to do with working with others than always being the one on stage. So gradually, I established myself as teacher and coach, and gave up performing.

Eventually though, I realized that although I believe my primary calling is in the role of teacher, there is a part of me that still loves to perform! So around 2007, I "came out of retirement" and began performing again. I'm grateful for the opportunities that continue to come my way. And I've found that by continuing to perform, I am a better teacher and coach. And not only do audiences seem to be supportive, I'm having a lot of fun!

The first video clip is a brief compilation of excerpts from "De-Lovely" - a Cole Porter tribute that Elizabeth Doyle and I presented first at Davenport's in 2018, and subsequently in other venues including at the oldest cabaret in Paris, Lapin Agile (dating back to 1860) in 2019. The next two video clips were taken at the Park West in Chicago and are excerpts from the 2018 and 2019 annual fall gala of Chicago Cabaret Professionals (CCP) of which I am proud to be a member. In both, I am accompanied by the fabulous Beckie Menzie on piano, Jim Cox on bass and Phil Gratteau on drums.

My Next Performances

Confession time: I hate updating my website! Today as I’m updating it for the first time in 4 years, I’ve accepted the fact I don’t do this frequently enough to continue to list current and upcoming performances. Sue me… but that’s the truth. It’s been great fun performing frequently since 2009 at the sadly now defunct Davenport’s Cabaret in Chicago, and at many other local venues - as well as multiple times in such varied locations as the Elkhart Jazz Festival in Elkhart, IN, the Cole Porter Festival in Peru, IN, and in three of the famous Feinstein’s locations across the country; 54 Below in NYC as well as Feinstein’s in both Carmel, IN and San Francisco. And then there was that unforgettable experience of singing in the oldest cabaret in Paris (and perhaps the world!) dating back to 1860: Le Lapin Agile back in 2019, before the pandemic really changed things. Alas… it’s a new world indeed. But I’m still singing around; sometimes as a solo act, sometimes as part of a dynamic duo with talented colleagues, and sometimes as one of several gifted singers in a show produced by the Chicago Cabaret Professionals, where I have also enjoyed serving as director.

If you truly want to keep up with my latest and next performances, the best way is to contact me through this website and I’ll be happy to update you as to what’s next. For sure, I’ll be singing somewhere in the near future! And I’m typically conducting a major work with my choir and orchestra at the church in Libertyville each December and May. Join us!

Of course if you’re just dying to hear me sing (!) but can’t get to a live performance, check me out on Youtube, or you can always grab one (or both) of my CDs! Thanks as always for your interest and support. Cheers!