Mélissa Laveaux
Encyclopedia
Mélissa Laveaux is an Ottawa
musician of Haiti
an descent signed to No Format!
records (roster includes Gonzales
and Julia Sarr
). She is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist who plays music described as a mix of roots, folk, and blues using her signature percussive finger-style guitar and soulful vocal stylings. In 2006, Laveaux released a first full-length album of her own songs. It was co-produced with percussionist Rob Reid (on tabla
and cajón
) and Lisa Patterson of Imaginit Music Studios. Laveaux has received critical praise from her peers in such magazines as Colorlines and is a Songs from the Heart recipient from the 2006 Ontario Council of Folk Festivals' conference in the World Music category for penning "Koud'lo".
Mélissa has opened for several artists who have inspired her music: Meshell Ndegeocello, Feist
and Lura. She's also performed at jazz and popular music festivals around the globe. Although most of her performances have been in France, she regularly performs in Japan
and Spain
. Festivals that have featured Laveaux include the Montreal International Jazz Festival (2007, 2009 and 2010), Cully Jazz, Donostia Jazzaldia, Festival du Bout du Monde (2008), Les Francofolies de La Rochelle
(2009), Sakifo Musik Festival in La Réunion
Island and le Printemps de Bourges
. She has been a featured guest on CBC Radio
's local programs Ottawa Morning and All in a Day and its national radio broadcasts Bandwidth, Canada Live, and Go!.
Mélissa earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts
in Ethics
at the University of Ottawa
in December 2007.
In 2009, Mélissa collaborated with producer MaJiKer
for a track to be released on his B-side EP of Body Piano Machine.
. The grant was used to record and mix a new version of Camphor & Copper, mixed and mastered by Bénédicte Schmidt and released on No Format!
. Five tracks were cut, and five additional tracks were added. Covers are « I wanna be evil » (Eartha Kitt
) and « Needle in the Hay » (Elliot Smith) as well as a traditional Creole lullaby « Dodo Titit » originally sung by Martha Jean Claude. Producers who performed on the album include Majiker
(beatbox) and Lisa Patterson (keys). While additional performers included Morgan Doctor (drums) and Martin Gamet (bass). This version of the album was released in France on November 18, 2008. Other European releases followed: Spain (2009), Italy (2009), Switzerland and Belgium (2009), Portugal (2010), Germany and Austria (2009). A Canadian release is set for March 2010 with Montreal indie label Spectra.
In 2009, Mélissa collaborated with producer Mocky
for a cover of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love". This track was included alongside other B sides for the deluxe version of Camphor & Copper's release. Other tracks included "Les Cendres" and "First Class".
Demos
Compilations
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
musician of Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
an descent signed to No Format!
No Format!
No Format! is an independent record label based in Paris and created in 2004.The label seeks to invest in original musical projects, be them instrumental or vocal, and has built up a catalogue of 18 works since its inception...
records (roster includes Gonzales
Gonzales (musician)
Gonzales, , is a Grammy-nominated Canadian musician currently residing in Paris, France. Though best known for his first MC and electro albums, he is also a pianist, producer, and songwriter....
and Julia Sarr
Julia Sarr
Julia Sarr is a Mezzo-soprano born in Dakar, Senegal. She comes from the Serer ethnic group . As one of the most sought after backing vocalist, she has worked with several prominent artists over the years including Youssou N'Dour and Patrice Larose.- Career :Julia launched her singing career...
). She is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist who plays music described as a mix of roots, folk, and blues using her signature percussive finger-style guitar and soulful vocal stylings. In 2006, Laveaux released a first full-length album of her own songs. It was co-produced with percussionist Rob Reid (on tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
and cajón
Cajón
A cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front face with the hands.-Origins and evolution:...
) and Lisa Patterson of Imaginit Music Studios. Laveaux has received critical praise from her peers in such magazines as Colorlines and is a Songs from the Heart recipient from the 2006 Ontario Council of Folk Festivals' conference in the World Music category for penning "Koud'lo".
Mélissa has opened for several artists who have inspired her music: Meshell Ndegeocello, Feist
Feist
Feist may refer to:* Feist , a specific class of small hunting dogs, though not a recognized pedigree* Feist Publications, a United States telephone directory publisher acquired by Yellow Book in 2004...
and Lura. She's also performed at jazz and popular music festivals around the globe. Although most of her performances have been in France, she regularly performs in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Festivals that have featured Laveaux include the Montreal International Jazz Festival (2007, 2009 and 2010), Cully Jazz, Donostia Jazzaldia, Festival du Bout du Monde (2008), Les Francofolies de La Rochelle
Les Francofolies de La Rochelle
Les Francofolies de la Rochelle is an annual music festival founded in 1985 in La Rochelle, France as an initiative of Jean-Louis Foulquier. It is usually held in the month of July of every year and aims at promoting francophone music....
(2009), Sakifo Musik Festival in La Réunion
La Reunion
La Reunion may refer to:* La Reunion , a communal settlement near present-day Dallas, Texas*La Réunion, Lot-et-Garonne, a town in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France*Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar...
Island and le Printemps de Bourges
Printemps de Bourges
Le Printemps de Bourges is an annual music festival that is held in Bourges, France, during five days. It is now a major event in France and Europe....
. She has been a featured guest on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
's local programs Ottawa Morning and All in a Day and its national radio broadcasts Bandwidth, Canada Live, and Go!.
Mélissa earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
in December 2007.
In 2009, Mélissa collaborated with producer MaJiKer
MaJiKer
MaJiKer, alias Matthew Ker, is a British music producer and musician. He resides in Paris, France but works internationally. He has recorded two of his own albums, and also has had success producing and performing with other artists, including French singer Camille on her albums Le Fil and Music...
for a track to be released on his B-side EP of Body Piano Machine.
Camphor & Copper
In July 2006, Mélissa Laveaux released her first record Camphor & Copper on the independent record label Malleable Records. But in 2007, Mélissa won the Lagardère Talent foundation's musician bursaryBursary
A bursary is strictly an office for a bursar and his or her staff in a school or college.In modern English usage, the term has become synonymous with "bursary award", a monetary award made by an institution to an individual or a group to assist the development of their education.According to The...
. The grant was used to record and mix a new version of Camphor & Copper, mixed and mastered by Bénédicte Schmidt and released on No Format!
No Format!
No Format! is an independent record label based in Paris and created in 2004.The label seeks to invest in original musical projects, be them instrumental or vocal, and has built up a catalogue of 18 works since its inception...
. Five tracks were cut, and five additional tracks were added. Covers are « I wanna be evil » (Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Mae Kitt was an American singer, actress, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit recordings of "C'est Si Bon" and the enduring Christmas novelty smash "Santa Baby." Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the...
) and « Needle in the Hay » (Elliot Smith) as well as a traditional Creole lullaby « Dodo Titit » originally sung by Martha Jean Claude. Producers who performed on the album include Majiker
MaJiKer
MaJiKer, alias Matthew Ker, is a British music producer and musician. He resides in Paris, France but works internationally. He has recorded two of his own albums, and also has had success producing and performing with other artists, including French singer Camille on her albums Le Fil and Music...
(beatbox) and Lisa Patterson (keys). While additional performers included Morgan Doctor (drums) and Martin Gamet (bass). This version of the album was released in France on November 18, 2008. Other European releases followed: Spain (2009), Italy (2009), Switzerland and Belgium (2009), Portugal (2010), Germany and Austria (2009). A Canadian release is set for March 2010 with Montreal indie label Spectra.
In 2009, Mélissa collaborated with producer Mocky
Mocky
Mocky is a Somali-Canadian singer, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and composer.-Biography:Mocky was born Dominic Salole in Saskatchewan, Canada. He later moved to Ottawa and Toronto, and then to London, Amsterdam and Berlin. His father is of Somali descent, but was born in...
for a cover of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love". This track was included alongside other B sides for the deluxe version of Camphor & Copper's release. Other tracks included "Les Cendres" and "First Class".
Discography
Albums (full length)- Camphor & Copper (No Format!No Format!No Format! is an independent record label based in Paris and created in 2004.The label seeks to invest in original musical projects, be them instrumental or vocal, and has built up a catalogue of 18 works since its inception...
, 2009) - Camphor & Copper (Malleable Records, 2006)
Demos
- Four Piece Mosaic
- Live at Alumni
- Warm Milk and Honey
Compilations
- Hands off Haiti (2007)
- Nos Artistes - édition branchée (2007)
- SOS Haiti (2010)