Born in San Francisco, Dallis was drawn to the playing the piano from a very early age, and she taught herself to play by ear. The youngest of five children in a musical family, she found her unique voice and style which was infused with the family influence of Classical, Rock, Pop, and Broadway, and she was hooked for life! She knew her path forward would be performing, playing piano and singing, and someday, become a songwriter.
MUSICAL JOURNEY…
Right out of high school, Dallis was performing solo on her first piano, a Fender Rhodes, in restaurants, cafes, bars, or busking on city streets. All this brought her to set her sights on Los Angeles, where she soon joined a popular Country band. During the height of the Urban Cowboy craze, the band stayed busy playing in the popular Country nightclubs (mechanical bulls and line dancing) and amusement parks. While living in the Valley, Dallis attended college to study filmmaking; MTV had just hit the scene, and music videos caught her attention.
While in Nashville, she managed to get some attention as a keyboard session player and singer, playing at various “Writers in the Round” at venues such as the famous Bluebird Cafe. She was in the house band for a weekly showcase, Western Beat (hosted by the late Billy Block) for local and traveling Indy artists, which ultimately became a live radio show. Dallis performed and toured with the late K.T. Oslin, David Frizzell, and Mandy Barnett. Nashville was also where she met and toured with Bruce Willis and was a featured vocalist in his band, Bruno & The Accelerators. Spending so much time away from her daughter and traveling back and forth between San Francisco and Nashville proved too much of a strain, so she came home to her beloved Bay Area to be with her, and it was here where she took another leap of faith…
LIFE LESSONS LEARNED,INNER RESOVE, UNFLAPPABLE POSITIVITY, AND UNWAVERING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
These are the themes connecting Dallis' music in her debut recording, Leap of Faith, (2001) Inspired by authentic and organic instrumentation, and reminiscent of the Laurel Canyon 70's Era singer/songwriter sound of Southern California (Carole King, Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown), Leap of Faith is a mixed blend of Americana, Pop, Country, R&B and Folk. Infused with intricate and lush vocal harmonies and thoughtful arrangements, it features some of the very best musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. The album contains 12 original songs (7 of which are hers), and she plays piano throughout. Though the album is sonically brilliant and relevant (produced by Bruce Kaphan), the songs can stand on their own in a solo or small combo (unplugged) setting.
SESSION WORK She can be heard on recordings of local luminaries: Huey Lewis and the News, John Lee Sanders, Jimmy Dillon, and Jesse Colin Young, to name a few. National television commercials include Red Lobster, AT&T, and Rice-a-Roni.
Music Legends In 2018, she became the newest member of the Ace of Cups, (San Francisco's own all-girl Psychedelic-Rock band of the Sixties) playing keys and providing backing vocals on tour. The Aces enjoyed playing in New York and being featured on Good Morning America, as well as opening for Jason Mraz in San Francisco. Dallis is featured on the Ace of Cups' sophomore release,Sing Your Dreams, as well as on their third release,Extended Play. Visit Ace of Cups' Official Site.
It's no wonder that Bay Area native, Dallis Craft has garnered nation-wide reputation of being a versatile entertainer, a popular go-to for keys and /or vocals, sideman or band leader, session vocalist or demo work.
Dallis is proud to be a part of these amazing bands, playing keys and singing: LUXURY LINER: Music of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris
THE COMPLETE UNKNOWNS: Tribute to music of Bob Dylan
ANGEL CHOIR: with Powerhouse Vocalists- Loralee Christensen, Ellie James, Allyson Paige, and Candy Girard
Dallis currently is very active in her studio, writing songs for her next album, working on music projects: either for live performance or session work.
