Jazz Bands, DJs & Performers
Dixieland Direct |
Jazz |
MIKE FLAHERTY'S DIXIELAND DIRECT JAZZ BAND is an exciting and energetic Washington, DC, based band that specializes in traditional New Orleans Dixieland music but its versatility encompasses other styles as well, these range from the music of the swing era, to society music to the Blues. |
Melanie Burke |
Jazz |
Melanie is a Neo- Soul song stress whose vocals draw comparisons to soul sirens Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, and Aretha Franklin. Melanie is more than just a typical vocalist and her accomplishments are synonymous with versatility. At the early age of five she performed with her father, and captured the audience by singing [“Got to Get You Off of My Mind”]. At age 11, Melanie was signed to MGM music with her brothers and sisters in a group created by her father (The Sons and Daughters of Solomon) who was trained under the late great J. W. Alexander. After leaving her father’s home and returning back to her mother in N. C. Burke started singing in a band called “Soul Express”, who toured the south working in mostly military venues. Melanie returned to Los Angeles to further her career and started training under William “Mickey” Stevenson (former head A&R for Motown Records), who assigned her to train under female group Hodges, James, and Smith (London Records recording artists). She also studied some dance with the great Lon Fontaine.
Melanie began singing in small clubs and working as a freelance background recording artist with companies such as Casablanca, A&M and Rawkus Records and a studio artist for groups such as Billy Preston, Peacock (Anna Gayle group), Lesley Ughams, and neo Soul artist, songwriter, and producer Novel. Her resume consists of touring with Chaka Khan (“Whatcha Gonna Do For Me” tour) in Hawaii & Japan.
As a teenager, Melanie started to develop her acting skills as an extra in movie productions “California Dolls, White Mamma (Betty Davis). Palmer Town USA”(a series written and directed by the late Alex Haley) and “Sophisticated Gents” with (Bernie Casey). Melanie played the role of “Effie”, in “Dream Girls” (the same role that elevated R&B artist Jennifer Hudson to stardom and Jennifer Holiday on Broadway) in an off Broadway production at the Cape Fear Regional Theater. Melanie utilized her many talents and ventured into the directing arena for the stage play “ A Sinners Prayer”. Then adding writing and producing to her resume with her powerful stage play “Trouble Don’t Last” as well as writing and producing a 14 song original soundtrack by Ms. Burke, Family, & Friends.
In 2005, Melanie premiered her gospel single “Yesterday” live on stage at the Paradisio in Amsterdam, Netherlands Melanie has opened for many artists such as Jocelyn Brown, Jaheim, Norman Connors, and Angela Bofill. In 2006, Melanie opened for the legendary rhythm and blues Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Award Winner Solomon Burke, at the renowned Kimmel Center of the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA.
Melanie has worked as a Music and Drama teacher for the Board of Education in Wichita Kansas and Pottstown, PA as well as a music teacher for Greensboro Middle School in South Carolina. Melanie has two sons in the Music Industry, her eldest Novel (singer / producer/songwriter), with Capital/Rowdy Records and the Dallas Austin Camp, to his credits are movie soundtracks “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” (Tyler Perry), Touchstone Pictures “Step Up, and Columbia’s Sony Pictures “21”. His latest collaborations include “Bossy” (Kelis), Joss Stone, Leona Lewis, and Alicia Keyes. Her youngest son “Young Solomon” has started in the studio as of late. Melanie was featured in “Put Obama in the White House” video (William Stevenson), and “Memories of Motown” in Berlin, Germany with producer Bernhard Kurz. Melanie is currently busy working on her own album, performing, and writing so look for her on a Stage near you! |
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