Artist Information Biography Mel Flannery's eclectic yet cohesive sound is shaking the very foundation of New York's jazz and independent scenes.  The organic sound that comes from this group of finely trained musicians lends itself generously to Mel's tear-your-heart-in-half ballads as well as her sexy and clever pop/rock influenced originals.  With every note she sings and song she writes, Mel reminds us she is a force to be reckoned with.  This is a band that appeals to punk rockers and jazz aficionados alike and is by no means to be missed.  At 24 years of age, Mel Flannery has truly made a name for herself. Now a graduate of the acclaimed Manhattan School of Music, Mel has turned heads with her distinct voice and unique interpretations of standards as well as adaptations of less traditional songs. Blending the the soul of Etta, the pop sensibility of Nancy, the guts of Nina and the innovation of Sarah, she provides the complete chanteuse package. Mel has had the good fortune of being surrounded by talent her whole life. Her father being a guitarist, she was fortunate to come into contact with good musicianship at a very young age. From the university town of Appleton, Wis., Mel was afforded the luxury of a great music conservatory and the many related choirs and musical activities. She strived in various choirs, theatrical productions and a small handful of instruments as a child; anything to be more involved in the music she loved so well. A local star at age 13, Mel began to take singing very seriously and studied classical voice under Carol Jegen. With an impressively mature soprano sound, Mel excelled despite a difficult repertoire, taking a particular interest in all things atonal. She took advantage of every opportunity to perform; big bands and symphonies alike while honing her duo skills by gigging with her guitarist father. Graduating from Appleton East High School and the Renaissance Charter School for the Arts with honors and a handful of scholarships and awards, Mel was ready for bigger and better things. Since the summer of 2002, Mel has found a home in New York City. She is a recipient of scholarship from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where she was one of two undergraduate jazz vocalists. She has been involved in countless projects at MSM including jazz choir, original works, both classical and jazz and the new music ensemble TACTUS. She has been featured as the vocalist for MSMs distinguished big band. She is a student of Peter Eldridge, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, Grammy Nominee Kate McGarry and Grammy Award Winner, Luciana Souza. Mel stops at nothing to find good musical projects to get involved with. She is featured on various pop, techno and commercial recordings and enjoys singing back-up vocals and sitting in with a variety of friends' projects as well as cowriting for a variety of projects. Mel also enjoys and takes pride in her role as a featured artist for the Chicago-based non-profit, Yes Is a World as well as her volunteer work with the incredible non-profit Musicians on Call. Mel Flannery Trucking Co. is a Sonicbids "I am Sonicbids" artist as well as a nominee for Best Song in the category of Vocal Jazz for the Just Plain Folks Awards 2009. Mel's number one project is her beloved Mel Flannery Trucking Co., featuring Matt Aronoff on bass, Danny Sher on drums and Lee Pardini on piano. Since 2003, Mel Flannery Trucking Co. has carved a home for themselves in New York's most influential independent and jazz venues including Joe's Pub, the Cutting Room and Rockwood Music Hall.  They have also left their mark in the midwest and west coast.  Defining what it is to be a 'band' and not a group of hired musicians, Mel Flannery Trucking Co. has developed an organic and nuanced sound that comes on easy, but leaves one breathless in its wake.  The songwriting of frontwoman and namesake, Mel Flannery (with the occasional co-writing of pianist Lee Pardini) is an exercise in balance; blending complexity and accessibility, heartbreak and humor, wisdom and youth.  MFTC injects electricity and fire in their live performances, shunning the notion that a jazz is ‘background music.’  Playing songs off their two acclaimed self-produced records, MFTC is an unforgettable event of jazz for a new audience.  "I enjoyed listening to Mel Flannery's set very much. She has a beautiful voice and a genuine gift for interpreting a song. Her own compositions feature direct and heartfelt lyrics, tinged with sadness, which she delivers with impeccable intonation. A pleasure to listen to!" -- Terre Roche of the Roches "Such confident phrasing, honest interpretation, and rich sounds coming from such a little whippersnapper. Mel Flannery is evolving into quite the powerhouse. Lucky me to be part of her journey." -- Peter Eldridge "Mel is a young talented singer from whom we can expect great things." -- Luciana Souza Instrumentation mel flannery-vox jesse lewis-guitar lee pardini and michael cabe-piano matt aronoff-basses tommy crane, danny sher and rohin khemani-drums Discography White Flag www.CDBaby.com/cd/MelFlannery2 Mel Flannery Trucking Co. www.CDBaby.com/MelFlannery both albums are available on iTunes and can be heard on HarrisRadio.com as well as FM radio station WAPL 105.7 Links http://www.myspace.com/melflannerytruckingco