Primary Instrument: Vocal
Photography by Matteo Tommaso Petri, Licia Rossi and Silvia Pedrini
Melissa Stott, jazz songwriter and vocalist, was born in Manchester (UK), daughter of a Singaporean-Chinese mother and an English father who was a jazz pianist and church organist. Being the only student on the advanced music course at high school, Melissa received one-to-one tuition in harmony and counterpoint from Lorna Wareham. A classical pianist and dancer, she spent the late eighties and early nineties living and working in London, Canterbury, Singapore, Italy, Sweden and Denmark, obtaining a degree in Drama and touring with a theatre company.
After vocal and instrumental studies with Barry Harris, Stjepko (Steve) Gut, Vince Benedetti, Dennis Jeter, Andy Farber and LaVerne Jackson, Melissa, already an established jazz vocalist, started writing down the songs that had been in her head for a while. For her 2005 debut, Why Now, she was hailed by Chris Parker (Vortex, London) as “a witty, accomplished songwriter with the ability to deliver her material with beguiling, informal intimacy…”, who also went on to predict that “her ability to write clever but affecting original songs that sound like standards in the making should see her establish herself in the top flight of vocalists in short order”. Her new 2007 release The Picture for Leo Feigin’s Feetfirst Records (a division of the avant-garde Leo Records), sees that promise about to be fulfilled.
All of the thirteen songs on The Picture were penned by Melissa, proving that her talent for writing catchy tunes with interesting harmonies and witty, touching lyrics continues to blossom. From the up- tempo dismissal of a lover in “Romance Addio”, to the haunting Evans-esque “The Picture”, or the aching, melancholic “Wish It Wasn’t True”, each and every one of Stott’s original songs casts a spell which is hard to forget. Tongue firmly in cheek, she imparts a cautionary tale about learning (or not) from your mistakes in “Hindsight” and dreams poignantly of better tomorrows in “A Little Contented Place”. Melissa Stott is “conversational, mature and engaging...far more than just a singer.” (Jazz Review, UK)
As a vocalist, her style is natural and understated, yet “an almost conversational intimacy combines with subtle power” to produce feelings that it’s hard to put your finger on. She also has, in her “precise diction, fluidity of her phrasing and perfect intonation, some of the best strings to her bow” (All About Jazz).
She currently performs in clubs and festivals (S.Elpidio Jazz Festival, Toscana Jazz, Appennino Music Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, etc.) all around Italy and in Europe.
Melissa is currently living in Italy.
“A jazz vocalist who will capture your heart”... Jazz Canadiana
“Stott is quite an extraordinary find…”...Jazz Review (UK)
“You’d swear she’d been [singing] all her life, such is her poise and innate swing.”... Jazzwise (UK)
“Every track is a miniature jewel of harmonic delight, capable of bringing out not only
the splendid vocal gifts of this young singer, but also those of the entire ensemble…”... Anima Jazz (Italy)
“She is fully representative of a particularly British approach to song…”... Jazz
Notes (France)
“The interwoven fabric is that of the golden age of American jazz vocalese with the
added attractions of surprisingly pliant vocals…”...Jazz magazine (Italy)
The Picture
Feetfirst Records
2007
1. Wish It Wasn't True
2. You
3. A Little Contented Place
4. Beware Of Your Heart
5. I Just Can't Stop The Tears
6. That'll Be Us
7. The Picture
8. I'm Looking At You With New Eyes
9. Romance Addio
10. Cara
11. Cutch O'Lanza
12. Mexico Blue
13. Hindsight
Personnel: Melissa Stott: vocals, music, lyrics
special guest Steve Gut: trumpet, flugel
Matteo Raggi: tenor sax, bass clarinet
Angela Alessi: violin
Davide Brillante:guitar
Nico Menci: piano
Max Chirico: piano
Pietro Ciancaglini: bass
Alessandro Minetto: drums
Why Now
Feetfirst Records
2005
1. Mami's Kitchen
2. Why Now
3. Don't You Get It
4. You're Through
5. An Imaginary Girl
6. Suspicion
7. Ella
8. I Think Of You
9. Dreaming
10. You Don't Love Me
11. Anyone Can See That I'm In Love
12. A Long, Long Way
13. Why Now (alt. take)
Personnel: Melissa Stott: vocals, music, lyrics
special guest Steve Gut: trumpet, flugel
Davide Brillante:guitar
Nico Menci: piano
Pietro Ciancaglini: bass
Alessandro Minetto: drums
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