Melisa Le Rue

- jazz
- soul
- sophisticated
- retro
- funky
- quirky

Biography

http://www.melisalerue.com

Melisa Le Rue is a soul songstress influenced by Jazz, world music & hip-hop. Born on the same date as Salvador Dali, she shares his fetish for creativity and self-expression.

Melisa started playing the piano at 4 and by the age of 11 was writing songs over the piano. Coming from a family of school teachers on her father's side and rice farmers on her mother's side, education was priority; so Melisa studied Philosophy & Sociology at London's LSE. (with a secret agenda to get into London's thriving music scene...)

Inspired by the UKs capital, it didn?t take long for Melisa to start gigging as she started to develop a unique style fusing vintage soul and jazz greats, with world music, neo soul and hip-hop.Shows developed from LSE's open mic night, to Neo-soul jam sessions in Old Street and Notting Hill showcase nights; and then the results saw her take to the festival scene in collaboration with the Latin Dub Sound System at Glastonbury 2008, The Secret garden party (2007) KOKO's, Waterford festival (Ireland) & Nottinghill Arts Club, and alongside one of the Urban underground's finest female rappers 'Yarah Bravo' (BBE/Ninja Tune), at the Hammersmith Apollo (in support of Fat Freddy's Drop), Hip Hop Kemp (Czech Republic), The Jazz Cafe (in support of Jaguar Wright), Splash festival (Germany) & Roskilde (Denmark).

In 2008 looking for a change she made a move to Dubai, where she signed up to The Fridge. Since moving to Dubai Melisa has collaborated with musicians & DJs for live Jazz/Soul/ Electronica shows, establishing a live DJ/violin & vox project called "Sol Eclectic". Live shows in Dubai include NEOS New Years eve (The Address Downtown), CHI, Alpha, West 14, Sanctuary (Atlantis), Abu Dhabi film festival, The Timeout nightlife awards; as well as featuring live on Dubai One's "Twenty something show" and on MBC TV. She is an Adidas originals ambassador after performing at the DEFJAM poetry jam in 2009. Melisa has has also organised and performed at a few events at The Fridge including "History is herstory too" and "The Hip-hop Symposium".

During Melisa time in Dubai she has had opportunities to travel around the globe, including shows at VUDU Club in Cebu, Philippines (VUDU 2008), Trophee Bar in New york, 'Got Soul' at Bohanon, Berlin & alongside Yarah Bravo at Weekend au bord de l'eau festival in Switzerland.

Busy with her paper and pen Melisa is currently writing & co-producing her solo debut album with producers and musicians between London, Dubai & New York.

Performances:

Jamaica Arts and music festival, New York 2012

Sheikha Manal Young artist Awards 2012

Emirates Woman awards 2012

ART DUBAI 2012

Harvey Nichols Fashion Show

New Look Fashion Show

The Stables Official Launch

Time Out Nightlife Awards

Gourmet Abu dhabi

Alfie's Official Launch

Hennessy Artistry Unplugged