Iolanda Maria Palma (born 21 April 1931 in Milan), known as Jula De Palma, is an Italian singer.
Biography
De Palma began her career in the early 1950s as a radio singer, collaborating with pianist, composer, and showman Lelio Luttazzi. Initially, she favored singing French songs like "C'est si bon," "Maître Pierre," or "Rien dans les mains, rien dans les poches" (composed by Henri Betti). However, it was her powerful and sophisticated voice that gained her fame, especially through her interpretations of various jazz classics. Her albums "Jula in Jazz" (1958) and "Jula in Jazz 2" (1959) featured songs such as "I've Got You Under My Skin," "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)," and "Blues in the Night."
In 1957, she married composer Carlo Lanzi. Two years later, she participated in the "Festival di Sanremo" where her passionate performance of the song "Tua" shocked the audience and the press. Due to its perceived "sexiness," she was barred from appearing on national television (RAI) for several years. Nonetheless, the public remained interested in her.
In 1970, she delivered a remarkable performance at the renowned Sistina Theatre in Rome, showcasing her refined vocal abilities. During the concert, she delighted the audience with renditions of timeless classics like "That Old Black Magic," "I Won't Dance," and "St. Louis Blues." She also enchanted with the bossa nova tune "Desafinado" and presented captivating Italian selections, including two songs made famous by Mina: "Bugiardo e incosciente" and "Non credere." This highly successful performance was later released as the album "Jula al Sistina."
After enjoying many years of success, she decided to retire from music in 1974 and relocated to Canada with her family. However, in 2001, she made a brief comeback on Italian television, making a reappearance in the spotlight.
