Melissa James | Singer-Songwriter | Official Website — Tag Archive — 20212021 Archives - Melissa James | Singer-Songwriter

My Favourite Songs

Friends....I am extending much love and good wishes to you this 2023. May it be a joyous and peaceful year for us all. Undoubtedly there will be moments of challenge, but may we find deep strength and the wise resources to manoeuvre our way through them all with grace.

Friends….I am extending much love and good wishes to you this 2023. May it be a joyous and peaceful year for us all. Undoubtedly there will be moments of challenge, but may we find deep strength and the wise resources to manoeuvre our way through them all with grace. My first proper gig of the year takes place on Wednesday 11 January at Chelsea’s famous 606 Club. This is a gig of a difference for me as I’ll be singing alongside my pianist Arthur Lea performing a host of our favourite songs – with maybe the odd original flung in. Do join us. This promises to be a feelgood occasion filled with positive vibes and you would be most welcome. More info here on the venue’s 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.

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.

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

Mind, Body & Song in Dorset

Having created the Mind, Body & Song series online, I am bringing a day-long version of this 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

Stronger on Sundays – Sunday 11 July, 1800-2000 BST

Stronger on Sundays returns with music held right at its centre. S.O.S offers an online space in which music is used to build community around social issues. Musicians and artists offer their expressions through live performance. Together guests share their thoughts on matters ranging from injustice and equity to our shared human experiences and connections to each other. Together, we can listen. We can learn. We can reflect. What started as a bit of a whimsical idea has turned into a daily song performance every weekday for the last thirteen weeks. I never quite "got" why I would do this initially. I knew it felt right to do it - and I always follow my heart and gut. But initially, I couldn't quite see the benefit.

Really pleased to announce the next Stronger on Sundays programme which is set to be another engaging discussion. We will hear from Rehena Harilall a South African activist who grew up during the apartheid era. Kwaku of British Black Music will join us too and together we will hear about the powerful importance and impact of music as part of rights protest. Tickets are by donation with a range of suggested amounts to suit all budgets. For more details and to book, please visit the Eventbrite page.

June’s Mind, Body & Song

This month I am pleased to welcome Transformational Energy Healer, Usu'ra into our beautiful online room of music.

I am really pleased to welcome Transformational Energy Healer, Usu’ra into our beautiful online room of music.

Earlybird tickets are available at £13.50 until the 16 June with a concessionary price of £6. More info and booking details are on the Eventbrite page.