"I guess I discovered jazz during my childhood, listening to my father playing goodies like Take the A Train on the piano,”says Swedish-American singer Ylva Elias. When she was 25 years old, Ylva was invited to join the barbershop choir Harmony Heights, in hometown Uppsala, Sweden. And it was with the Heights that she further discovered her love of singing jazz and blues. Wanting to incorporate her many musical influences, Ylva and three other girls formed a ladies quartet, SweetN’Sour, and they performed jazz and Swedish popular tunes in and around Uppsala.
Ylva trained as a biologist at the prestigious Uppsala University, but even after graduating she continued to hear music’s siren call, and went on to music school in Uppsala and Stockholm, where she received vocal and stage training in a variety of musical genres. And to quench her desire to perform, she sang at corporate and private parties, festivals, and music cafés, with different ensembles and musicians, such as guitarist Aldo Donatello. She had the great joy of being a featured performer at the famous Katalin jazz club in Uppsala, showcase to many of jazz’s legendary stars.
In 2002, Ylva got the chance to move to San Diego and work as a Molecular Biologist in the Biotech Industry. But her new job wasn’t the only thing calling her — her love of the unknown and her desire to explore the cultural and musical opportunities "over there" drew her to jump at the prospect of moving to California and continuing her singing career in America.
In 3 short years Ylva has established herself in San Diego by performing with talented jazz musicians like the Chris Klich quartet and with bass player Rob Thorsen. Ylva also has performed her explosive soul, blues and jazz talents with bands like The Big Mo Band, at night clubs like the Belly Up Tavern and Cafe Savoy swing events. In November 2005, Ylva performed at the San Diego Civic Theatre, with the big swedish-american show Rhapsody in Rock, featuring the swedish pianist Robert Wells, and guest artists Ruben Studdard and Peter Jöback. Ylva also promoted the show, including coordinating marketing, ticket sales and live/DVD promotion shows in San Diego. The show was a success and planned to come back year 2006.
