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Michele Mele

Michele Mele is from a family of professional musicians, and has been writing songs for over twenty years. She was something of a prodigy, and began playing piano as a small child. Her talent was quickly obvious, and before she actually entered High School she had already completed all of the necessary music credits necessary for graduation. Michele graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Music in 1982, and in 1984 she graduated from the Faculty of Education. That same year, she directed an original musical production written by the Music Department of the Faculty of Education for presentation to local public schools.

With a keen interest in live theatre, she also directed productions of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “The Glass Menagerie”. As a music educator, she has conducted numerous song writing and active listening workshops at schools and other Toronto area venues. In 1989, Michele Mele wrote, “That’s All I Know”, which was recorded and performed by Neil Donnell. The recording subsequently went “gold” in Canada.

Michele has also composed and arranged choral works for large choirs, and in 1991 she composed a Christmas-themed work for the Toronto Philharmonic, which they performed in concert. Michele Mele has been a favourite performer at a number of Toronto’s jazz boites, “Sax On Yonge”, “The Top O’ The Senator”, “Gate 403”, “The Lemon Drop Martini” “The Rex” , ”RD’S” and “The Montreal Bistro” as well as the U.S. and Caribbean.

Michele’s debut CD, “Like This” (which also contained exclusively original material), was released in 2003, and was warmly received by critics and fans alike. The poignant music and texts of “Like This” and “Laugh” reflect the variegated moods captured by her artistic vision. She is an artist who has diverse specialized skills, in addition to song writing and performing. She is the mother of four beautiful children, and is also a certified scuba diver, and an accomplished flying trapeze artist and slalom water-skier. She also speaks fluent French and Italian, and is a gourmet cook to the delight of her husband Luciano.

Over the past 3 months Michele has recorded yet another album of original material as well as the beautiful standard “You Must Believe in Spring” and the lively Ellington classic “Beginning to See the Light”. Entitled “feel”, it exudes the ever changing emotions that make her life so magical. Michele is thrilled to have the opportunity of working with such wonderful world reknown artists and looks forward to many more projects :performing and in music education.

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77
Album Review

Michele Mele: Feel

Read "Feel" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Feel, the third album from singer/songwriter Michele Mele, falls in line with her previous efforts, Like This (2003) and Laugh (2004). Both prior albums reflected her creativity and featured only original material. Her third album is not much different in format. There are a dozen tunes here, of which only two are famaliar (the Ellington/Strayhorn vehicle “I'm Beginning to See the Light" and Michel Legrand/Jacques Demy's “You Must Believe In Spring"). The biggest issue I have with this album is ...

49
Album Review

Michele Mele: Like This

Read "Like This" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Toronto's Michele Mele is one in a line of vocal jazz singers dating back to Peggy Lee who dares to write songs for the sheer joy of creativity. Her debut release, Like This, is a catalogue of mainstream musical styles. Unfortunately for jazz lovers, Mele showcases her cool singing talent to the point of stunting the very music behind it.

Mele’s music declares her independence while acknowledging jazz traditions. She was raised on classical piano, and (at least) ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Feel

Self Produced
2007

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Like This

Toronto Sound
2003

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