Melissa James | Singer-Songwriter | Official Website — Author Archivesmich1s - Author at Melissa James | Singer-Songwriter

Soul to Soul

A Concert for these Times. This is what I am bringing to Tara Theatre, Earlsfield on Saturday 25 June as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe.

A Concert for these Times. This is what I am bringing to Tara Theatre, Earlsfield on Saturday 25 June as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe. Friend and flautist, Rowland Sutherland joins the night as do other guests. Richard Bolton performs alongside on guitar with Oren Marshall on percussion. I am so looking forward to, what is to be, a special night.

Before then on Sunday 19 June, I will offer a more laidback affair in the form of Mind, Body & Sacred Song. You are invited to come as you are – merging your voice with my own or simply allowing yourself to bathe in sounds that abound. My guest is Storyteller Usu’ra. You are welcome to bring a cushion and a blanket.

Saturday 18 June sees the return of my SING4SANE Big Sing too which you can also join. Much to be discovered as part of this wonderful 2-week festival. All the booking details with info can be found on the Fringe website.

Stronger on Sundays – Sunday 24 April, 1800-2000 BST

Stronger on Sundays had been on pause while plans are made for the upcoming series. In light of the war in Ukraine, this special pop-up programme has been planned.

Stronger on Sundays had been on pause while plans are made for the upcoming series. In light of the war in Ukraine, this special pop-up programme has been planned. Discussing the plight of African people in Ukraine who have been forgotten in the midst of conflict, I am pleased to be joined by guests who can inform us on the situation on the ground in Ukraine for people of African heritage. All donations from ticket sales will go directly to Africans Rising in support of their work aiding Africans in Ukraine. To book, please visit the Eventbrite page.

Speaking with M Magazine

I was really glad to have the opportunity to speak with M Magazine - the publication from PRS for Music

I was really glad to have the opportunity to speak with M Magazine – the publication from PRS for Music – about my work in creating Stronger on Sundays. You can have a read of the piece via this link.

Sing with Me

Really pleased to be back online this coming Monday 17 January, 1900 to 2015 UK time, and you are invited to sing with me.

Really pleased to be back online this coming Monday 17 January, 1900 to 2015 UK time, and you are invited to sing with me.

Everyone is welcome. I am offering this session for **free**. Come and raise your voice and release your sound. Sing for joy not judgement. Sing for freedom. To join, all you need to do is register which you can do via this Eventbrite link

Stronger on Sundays – Sunday 31 October, 1800-2000 GMT

My guest on SOS this month is Roger Wilson, co-founder of Black Lives in Music which has been carrying-out a survey to gather experiences of black and brown musicians in the UK.

My guest on SOS this month is Roger Wilson, co-founder of Black Lives in Music which has been carrying-out a survey to gather experiences of black and brown musicians in the UK. Roger will discuss some of the findings and alongside Roger will be Michael Eakin of the Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Leslie Kwan, founder of The Monarch Network – a new media-production company that commissions and presents music-based exclusively in support of hospital staff, patients and their families at NHS hospitals. As always, you are welcomed into the SOS space. For more details and to book, please visit the Eventbrite page.

Mind, Body & Song in Dorset

Having created the Mind, Body & Song series online, I am bringing a half-day version of these sessions to a beautiful part of Dorset.

Having created the Mind, Body & Song series online, I am bringing a half-day version of these sessions to a beautiful part of Dorset. On Saturday 9 October, you have the opportunity to join me for this retreat of singing, sound and song. Open to all, regardless of musical knowlege or ability, you would be very welcome to join – particularly if you are someone who has always felt slightly unsure about using your voice. More details and can be found on Eventbrite using this link: bit.ly/MindBodySongDorset

My Favourite Toons

I recently had the great pleasure of speaking with attorney Michael Fuller for his podcast, Drop Da Biscuit.

I recently had the great pleasure of speaking with attorney Michael Fuller for his podcast, Drop Da Biscuit. I am always happy to have a conversation about music so I was glad for this opportunity to talk about songs I love that have meaning to me. A little like Desert Island Discs – but a bit longer and fewer song choices.

Stronger on Sundays – Sunday 26 September, 1800-2000 BST

I am looking forward to hearing first-hand from writer Alex Renton about his discovery in recent years

I am looking forward to hearing first-hand from writer Alex Renton about his discovery in recent years of his own family’s direct involvement in the slave trade in the West Indies; learning about the impact of this knowledge on he and his own family. Plus hearing from human rights activist and Scientist Sir Geoff Palmer and Trinidadian based political commentator and author Rhoda Bharath. What an episode. For more details and to book, please visit the Eventbrite page.

Sing with Me

Really pleased to be back online this coming Monday 17 January, 1900 to 2015 UK time, and you are invited to sing with me.

Really pleased to be back online this coming Monday 17 January, 1900 to 2015 UK time, and you are invited to sing with me.

Everyone is welcome. I am offering this session for **free**. Come and raise your voice and release your sound. Sing for joy not judgement. Sing for freedom. To join, all you need to do is register which you can do via this Eventbrite link

Rye Jazz & Blues Festival

What a dream to be back on stage again.

SUPPORTING GABRIELLE

What a dream to be back on stage again. And to be on a stage in front of a live audience. And with a backdrop of the sea. And to be performing a set in support of Gabrielle. Blessings were showered on me in receiving this opportunity. What better way to return to the stage after a hiatus of 18 months. Wonderful.

Photograph: Ryan Laity