Melissa Kassel has collaborated with many renown musicians including: Tim Ray (Lyle Lovitt, Gary Burton) , John Lockwood (Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard) Bob Gullotti (George Garzone,Kenny Werner), Tom Zicarelli, Phil Grenadier (Kenny Barron, Chris Potter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Stewart, Ethan Iverson, John Scofield Band) Bruno Raberg (Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, Miroslav Vitous) amoung others.
Influences
Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Laura Nyro, Sly and the Family Stone, Billie Holliday, Betty Carter, Joni Mitchell, Sheila Jordan, Shirley Horn, Thelonious Monk, Flora Purim, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Ornette Coleman, Louis Armstrong, Carmen McRae, Miles Davis, Rosemary Clooney, Lena Horne and Cassandra Wilson.
Sounds Like
From Alex Henderson - ALL MUSIC GUIDE
"Some see the 21st century Jazz world as unoriginal, unimaginative young instrumentalists who would go out of their way to emulate their idols, and the problem is often just as bad amoung singers...It isn't hard to find a surplus of Sarah Vaugn and Ella Fitzgerald clones. But Melissa Kassel isn't one of them. The Boston Based jazz vocalist strives for originality. Kassel is obviously drawn to some of jazz's more abstract singers. Betty Carter and Sheila Jordan are influences, and there are times when she brings to mind the underexposed Jeanne Lee."
Melissa Kassel is renown for her bold and expressive vocal style that has been praised by both music critics and jazz enthusiasts throughout the world. She is an evocative performer whose sensitivity to the nuances of words and phrasing, unique use of microtones, and raw passion, enable her to transcend to the “cutting edge” of jazz vocalization.
Reviews:
“As a contributing editor to DOWNBEAT and JAZZIZ among other publications, I’ve heard countless debut albums from women singers that are safe, pleasant, and, well, forgettable. Melissa Kassel, glad to say, dares to be different and real imagination and passion to her close study of tone, intonation, and phrasing on “Live at the Acton Jazz Café.”
--FRANK-JOHN-HADLEY.
“The past ten years have been a golden age for Jazz, depending on your definition of the genre, jazz-related instrumentalists. Many have a working knowledge of several genres and have been synthesizing them in many ways to create a flowering of new styles. However, there hasn’t been anything like this sort of evolution in the jazz vocalist area. Betty Carter’s breakthrough work finally gained her some attention during the last dozen years…Boston Based Melissa Kassel’s live CD, though, gives us reason to hope. A powerful, emotional artist…she alters themes until they become paraphrases of the original melodies, employing microtones in the process. She brings all of her, by jazz standards, wide range into play. She swoops, she bends notes, she lays behind the beat, then catches up with it. Dynamically, and texturally her work contains a good deal of contrast, sometimes she shouts, she growls, sometimes she almost whispers the lyrics...she’s among the best jazz vocalists to emerge in years.”
--HARVEY PEKAR 90.9 WBUR BOSTON’S NPR NEWS STATION.
“For a debut recording, this is one of the smoothest live recordings to come about in recent years – it has a special feel about it, and the performances are all excellent in all aspects…Melissa Kassel and her Quintet are new to the jazz vocals CD world, and what a welcome touch of freshness they are. There is a sensitive sensuality to Melissa Kassel’s voice that makes any song she sings a fine listening experience.”
--LEE PROSSER JAZZ REVIEW
is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter. She is not afraid to be afraid.
A strong woman is both soft and powerful. She takes compliments to heart and treats herself like the queen that she is. A strong woman is equally visionary and decisive. She is able to hope when things look hopeless. She is both practical and spiritual. A strong woman in her essence is a gift to all the world.
Hope everything is going good with you, the kids and everyone. Still here in PR, waiting for somethings to get done and hoping I can be back soon. Much love...
This morning when God opened a window to Heaven, He saw me, and He asked: "My child, what is your greatest wish for today?" I responded: "Please, take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much" The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end. This message works on the day you receive it. Let us see if it is true. ANGELS EXIST but sometimes, since they don't all have wings, we call them TRUE FRIENDS. Pass this on to your true friends.
Hello Melissa, Tks for add and your lovely words! I like very much your sound and voice. Nice sunday and week, ok? Wellcome to my creative page new friend! Kisses ipanema ( blue )-rio de janeiro celia basto photo & creation
