Melody Memory

Artist Information

Biography

Alejandro Perez (a.k.a. A.P./African Personalities) - front man/teacher
Menkiti Rice - drums/back-up vocals/saxophone
Jason Smith - guitar
Bobby Ramirez - bass
Jordan Walker - keys
Aisha Marshall - flute/back-up vocals
Capt. Ron Davidson - hand percussion/back-up vocals/mentor

In March of 2012, MELODY MEMORY is proud to have released our 1st full length children's album entitled:
Sing, Dance, LEARN!

The Melody Memory Curriculum©, created by inter-disciplinary arts educator Alejandro Perez, Jr., is based on leveraging the mind’s natural ability to subconsciously retain melodies to easily infuse important information and positive messages into the child’s memory in a fun and exciting way. Through the Melody Memory Curriculum©, student’s are guided through songs, dances, and movements that associate concepts in the simplest form, allowing the student to build simple explanations for increasingly complex principles. These are sometimes combined with pictures to further enhance memorization.

Although MELODY MEMORY is considered a meta-lyrical fusion of Reggae, Hip-Hop and Funky Soul, their music and message is much more than just the obvious. Their broad appeal musically bridges gaps between younger and older generations.

In 2010, MELODY MEMORY released their first full length cd entitled LOVE MOVEMENT. A 12 song masterpiece that beautifully conveys a lesson that is seldom heard in this day and age. A musical declaration of positivity, family, creativity, and love. From the first heart-pounding beats of the kick drum, this vital message of unity is meta-lyrically conveyed.

The unique combination of entertaining adults on one hand and teaching children on the other is what makes this band like no other. MELODY MEMORY continues to perform around the D/FW areas and beyond. Although they deviate from the norm, they remain with the same mission; To spread the musical message of creativity, unity, peace, and love.

MELODY MEMORY has begun to establish their name regionally after non-stop performances in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma at festivals including The 2010 Texas State Fair and The Mulberry River Jam held deep in the Ozark mountains. Epic performances with such legendary artists such as The Wailers and Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars are one reason MELODY MEMORY has a reputation for putting on inspirational and wildly entertaining performances and further explains why they have evolved into one of Dallas' favorite musical acts.

They beautifully transcend the music by being part of the local artists community, and by being actively involved in the development of local "at risk" youth, as well as up and coming poets and wordsmiths. MELODY MEMORY is actively involved with improving public education through creative learning.
Working with non-profit organizations such as Big Thought, Art.Love.Magic, and Creative Solutions, MELODY MEMORY has put itself in a position to further the artistic growth and development of kids all over D/FW using the MELODY MEMORY curriculum.

MELODY MEMORY is also the house band the last 3 years for The DaVerse Lounge. A monthly non-competitive, spoken word poetry open mic. event held at The Dallas Theater Center for teens throughout the Dallas Independent School District. The DaVerse Lounge is a visionary initiative designed to promote community and diversity, while exposing a new generation of theatergoers to non-traditional performance forms.

Instrumentation

Alejandro Perez (a.k.a. A.P.) - Lead Vocals
Aisha Marshall - flute, Back-up Vocals
Menkiti Rice - Drums, Back-up Vocals
Cap'n Ron Davidson - Hand Percussion, Back-up Vocals
Bobby Ramirez - Bass
Jordan Walker - keys
Jason Smith - Guitar

Discography

Melody Memory LIVE!
The Granada Theater, April 2010

LOVE MOVEMENT,
1st Full Length release, Oct. 2010

Sing, Dance, LEARN!
Childrens Album release, March 2012

Links

• MySpace
• Twitter
• You Tube

Audio

• Whats a letter
  Listen  
• Music
  Listen  
• Beautiful
  Listen  
• 10 fingers
  Listen  
• Connectivity
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• DART Green Line opens to wet weather, lots of riders-Sept. 15th 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  "I watched parents encourage their children to stomp around in puddles as people danced and nodded t..."I watched parents encourage their children to stomp around in puddles as people danced and nodded to the beats of Melody Memory, a phenomenal Dallas-based band with reggae, funk, and rock roots..."

• Queen Mushiya reviews Melody Memory band [+ Show ]
  

  Friday, July 24, 2009 4:09 PM Melody Memory Band what can I say! I was delightfully surprised when ...Friday, July 24, 2009 4:09 PM
  Melody Memory Band what can I say! I was delightfully surprised when this band strolled into the KNON 89.3 Irie FM studios Dallas last Wednesday night - July 15, 2009.
  
  The purpose of their visit was to partner with KNON Reggae DJ's in embracing the Reggae community of DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) musically.
  
  I personally have found that it is cool to be supported by already recognized Reggae Artists; however it is equally important that we remember those Reggae soldiers working diligently in our own yards in hopes of building Reggae strength and love locally.
  
  KNON Radio is a Community based Radio station with International acclaim. We are the "Voice of the People".
  
  Wednesday Night's Reggae Solutions Show KNON Studio's:
  
  A Live Interview was conducted with Queen Mushiya, DJ Steady Rankin and the Reggae Solutions Crew: Event calendar coordinator - Alicia and DJ
  Dollar Bill.
  
  This group (Melody Memory Band) has it all: Knock dead appearance, undeniable talent, with a dynamic multi-cultured flavor. I am still reeling, very much so impressed. Little did I realize that their appearance was just the topping of the Reggae cake, the best was yet to come!
  
  Lawd a mercy! They did an Acoustic thing live on air that was off the chain. The lead singer Alejandro Perez - has impeccable energy,you can
  tell he's comfortable in his skin and has no problems moving back and forth vocally from English to Spanish. That's a flavor you just have to
  hear to believe. I'm sure all women every where was going aaaaaaaaah!
  
  Each and every one of them was impressive and real. I like that; it is so easy to mimic other Artists, however this group was unique and
  displayed a lot of individuality. It was just refreshing. I know how impressed we were inside the studio. And later found out from the
  listening audience, just how much they enjoyed the live acoustic thing Melody Memory Band put down. A very quick and positive, reaction (feedback) was received from the listening audience worldwide.
  
  Talking about an impression! Their appearance alone should be against the law. The entire (yes I said entire the entire Band is drop dead
  gorgeous). The members that were in attendance this night was: Bobby V (Guitar and vocals), Aisha (Flute and vocals), Reggie Webster (Guitar
  and Vocals), Menkiti (drums) and the lead singer with the spicy Puerto Rican flavor - Alejandro Perez.
  
  The song they performed was titled "It's OK" and yes, once they started I did hear sounds of Bob Marley and that's cool. Bob has been a staple
  of Reggae music globally from many a year. So it was not unusual,to hear a ting of him here and there. However, the composition of "It's OK"
  is all original Melody Memory music and very conscious. Definitely had me thinking, it was unquestionably an OK privilege to be in the studio with them this night. (Smile).
  
  OK. As I have shared my excitement of this Band with many of you already verbally, I will just have to say this. (smile).
  
  Bobby V is just "Sweet" I understand from the word on the street, is that Bobby believes so much in the effeciveness of their music;that he works tirelessly to keep this band booked. He being the only baldhead in the group is still "OK" with me; it is he whom my first contact was made. Bobby is gracious, pleasant and humble (I like that qualityespecially; in anyone). It was just pure joy to meet him in person. He plays the Bass so powerful, it to have a little Latin flavor init. It's a sound I can't explain, it's different and gripping.
  
  Aisha - is just beautiful!!! And extremely kind. I finally found someone in this business shorter than I. (LOL). She plays flute and backing vocals in a loving and gentle fashion. When she walked in with the flute, I was thinking (hmmmm) this will be interesting. Again, to my surprise it worked like a
  hand in a glove. So mellow it was; just warmhearted. Aisha will most certainly blow you away. She's an accomplished Flutist. I understand she
  also teaches the Flute when she's not performing. she certainly brings the softness to the group;balancing them out.
  .
  Reggie Webster: baby faced with long flowing dreads. In all appearance he looks like a mellow and calm Rasta. He plays the guitar and
  harmonizes in a fashion that can only be described as excellence. At first glance you would think, he's quiet and reserve; NOT he's
  actually very talkative, funny and straight up (another quality I like).As we conversed this night, I was really pleased to talk to him; he's
  really a deep person and a complete joy to be in his presence.
  
  
  Menkiti: Well, here's the thing, the entire band was already in the studio for about 30 minutes before Menkiti arrived. Let me just say, if
  the strong Ibo name don't tell you, the entire person will. He looks like a strong Rasta warrior. When he strolled through those studio
  doors, both Alicia and I, did a double take!
  
  Just so you know it was not just his long flowing brownish dreads that made us look twice.
  
  Menkiti, looks way too much like Ziggy Marley. It's uncanny! So imagine:trying to interview this group live on air and keep from staring at
  Menkiti, it was a feat in itself. Alicia and I had to keep looking at each other while interviewing so that we would not be appearing too rude
  by staring at him. (smile). He was strong quiet and too sexy for himself.
  
  Well, he is magnificent (I am now talking about his drumming). Again,the drumming and the backing vocals, just folded in perfectly.
  
  Alejandro Perez - Dread locked extremely articulate Lead Vocalist, he has unbelievable energy. Now, Alejandro exudes a spirit of knowing just
  who he is and very comfortable in his skin. He's a wonder to watch, a joy to listen to and just a out and out rockin good time! I really like his spirit. He is definitely a crowd pleaser. He's cute and sexy like that and has no problem in swaying any audience with his vocal prowess. Hey this was the first time I had actually heard their music. So I did not know what to expect, it was just AWESOME! He sings from deep within emotions and lawd when he goes into the Spanish thing, it makes your heart take a couple beats back.
  
  I was so impressed with this Band that I actually went to their performance at the Thanksgiving Square Dallas the following Friday and it was a scorching 104 degrees. But, I had to go I needed to see for myself how they connected with a Live audience. I was not dissappointed. They were great!!! I have traveled the world with the best of the best groups in Reggae and I am still amazed at the RAW talent still out there.
  
  This is a fairly new group, they each derived from other Bands and came together to put out there on the streets of Dallas, some of the finest sounds in Texas. They are so HOT right now, you would have thought that they had been performing together for years on end. They most definitely appear to have the flavor needed to stay together, grow stronger and reach the depths in their chosen field -Music.
  
  Melody Memory believes in developing the Youth:
  
  The Band was performing for a humanitarian cause the hot Friday downtown Dallas. It was HOT there was no tarp, just an open hot stage and yet for the children they came out and did their thing. I was told by some of the people in attendance that the event was
  sponsored by an organization by the name of make-a- connection www.makeaconnection.org .
  
  This positive organization gives the youth a chance to express themselves artistically. They were able to take the stage with Melody Memory and do their thing whether it as poetry,singing or dancing. It was a very tender expression, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the future poets and entertainers. It was just stunning! You would have to have been in attendance, to feel the scope of love and determination coming from the stage.
  
  If I had 4 hands instead of 2 I would give Melody Memory Band 4 thumbs up. However, JAH knew what he was doing by keeping it simple and applying only two hands. (smile) In any event I will have to give this Band, two strong thumbs up!.
  
  I know; I know; I've always been a strictly Reggae woman. However, I call it as I see it. Melody Memory is a band with all the Key components
  to make it very far in this business, given a chance.
  
  They have: Looks, Presence, Strength, Determination and Talent. There are actually 3 additional members of this Band, unfortunately I was unable to hang around after the show and meet them. Well, that will be for another time and writing (smile).
  
  Check them out for yourself and go to: http://www.myspace.com/melodymemorymusic
  
  http://www.myspace.com/reggaesolutions
  
  Reggae on the Radio Dallas with an International Link! 89.3 Irie FM
  http://www.knon.org
  

Setlist

1)Melody Memory

2) Building

3)Let it go

4) C.R.E.A.M

5)What would you do(w/band solos)

6)It's o.k.

7)Countdown Song

8)Connectivity

9)Water

10)Celebrate(Ancestor Song)

11)Love

Basic Requirements

Calendar