Connected is the title of Melanie Scholtz’s new album - her second, which is to be launched at the Artscape Theatre on Sunday 7 February 2010 at 5pm.  Presented by Artscape in celebration of Melanie’s recent 2010 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz, the event features Melanie and her band The Love Apples who will perform music from the album interspersed with some fabulous jazz standards.  

Melanie will also be joined by the Artscape Youth Jazz Vocal Ensemble who have been part of Artscape’s Youth Jazz Festival for the past four years and in which Melanie has had a significant role.  This year’s festival takes place on 18th June and details will be announced at the launch.

Marlene le Roux (Artscape) said; ‘Melanie has served as the main mentor to young musicians in Artscape’s Youth Jazz programme. She is passionate, hardworking and a role model for all. From her humble beginnings growing up in the Flats, the Standard Bank Young Artist Award gives hope and inspiration to many other young musicians.  They too can fulfill a dream of becoming a top musician like Melanie.’

About the new album   Melanie says;   ‘Connected   features original compositions with my band The Love Apples - Andrew Lilley on piano, Charles Lazar on double bass, Jonno Sweetman on drums, Gorm Helfjord on guitar and Norwegian trumpeter Ole Jorn Myklebust. Ole Jorn Myklebust is also the producer of the album.  It was recorded in February 2009 at Sunset Studios in Stellenbosch by Jurgen von Wechmar. The compositions are inspired by Africa and Scandinavia and uncluttered in terms of arrangements and instrumentation. It is very different from my first ‘Zillion Miles’ as it is cleaner and fresher making use of less overdubs, backing harmonies and backing vocals -  simpler and more grown up. The launch of Connected on 7 February will also give a taste of my standards album, Living Standards Vol 1, to be launched in April.’

Tickets for the Connected launch cost R50.  Book through Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421-7695, Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers, outlets and on line www.computicket.com 

Click on photos below to enlarge