Melanie, “Ireland’s foremost jazz Ambassador” (Downbeat Magazine) is a international performer known for her initiative Celtic jazz sound; "a thoroughly modern take on the jazz tradition…utterly transformative.” (LA Music Connection).

 

Her exhilarating and unique blend of jazz and Irish traditional music creates a powerful new exploration that journey to untouched musical frontiers and which captivates audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, “Gorgeous sound… a Celtic cadence with a jazz sensibility” -  Berkeleyside

 

Her Celtic Jazz style fuses two great traditions - Celtic melodies & themes with jazz - a fusion that represents Ireland as part of the European Ethno-Jazz movement. She electrifies audiences whether she sings in Gaelic or English, and her original songs are often inspired by her deep Celtic roots in Gaelic poetry, Irish myths and the works of Irish literary giants such as James Joyce. Melanie also sings and records in French and has garnered much respect while touring in France. Her popularity there is growing to great acclaim as was witnessed during the past year when she has performed to packed venues and “standing room only” audiences
 

Melanie tours extensively throughout Ireland and Europe, she has performed to great acclaim at the Lorient Festival Inter-Celtique Brittany, La Fete de la Musique in Normandy; Voix du Monde in Lilles, the Andernos Jazz Festival France, and D’ici et D’ailleurs World Music Festival in Châlons-en-Champagne. She has represented Ireland many times at La Fête de St Patrick around France, notably her recent performances at Le Dansoir Cultural Centre Normandy. Her concert at Ireland’s National Concert Hall was voted one of the top concerts of 2013.

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In the UK, venues have included The London Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival , Glasgow University, and the Birmingham Jazz Festival.
 

Melanie was awarded an “Artist of Extraordinary Ability” in the Unites States where she has performed in such prestigious venues such as the California Jazz Conservatory, New York’s Lincoln Center, The Black Cat San Francisco, Angelica’s Jazz Club Redwood City, Take 5 Jazz Club at the Brubeck Institute, International House Berkeley, and the Irish Center SF, among others. She has also represented Ireland at the highly prestigious European Jazz Festival at Schoenberg Hall, Los Angeles.

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She was awarded Artist-in-Residence as performer and composer in La Mue Residency France and her Celtic Jazz Ensemble represented Ireland at the European Heritage Festival Normandy 2019.