Melorie Jane

ABOUT

Melorie Jane de Villiers, hailing from Pretoria, founded the afro-funk jazz band ALL the MORE in 2012. The band quickly gained a following among students, playing at notable venues like Hard Rock Café Menlyn and Marais Street Acoustics before disbanding in 2017 when Melorie relocated to Franschhoek. She then started performing under her own name, releasing her debut single "Till the morning comes" and EP "Different View" in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The artist mentions the dynamic jazz scene in Cape Town as one of the reasons for moving close to the city and adds that the diversity of music styles and the abundance of talent creates ideal circumstances for a musician to grow. 

With a Bachelor's in Music from the University of Pretoria and a Master's in Music Performance with a focus on jazz composition and piano from the University of Stellenbosch, Melorie dropped her acclaimed debut album "More or Less" in 2021, winning Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Female Artist in the Mzantsi Jazz Awards 2022. Her music has been featured on television and radio stations, such as the Expresso Morning Show, All Jazz Radio, Metro FM, CCFM and Vuka Online Jazz Radio, as well as internationally acclaimed radio station, SiriusXM Real Jazz. The album has been applauded as “absolutely brilliant” by Nothemba Madumo on the Urban Jazz Experience on Metro FM and “such a refreshing style to listen to” on Expresso Morning Show on SABC 3. The album was written during the nation lockdown of the Covid pandemic in 2019 and 2020, and deals with themes of isolation and the importance of community, human resilience and the value of family and friendships. 

Melorie Jane performs in and around Cape Town, and has featured at events such as the 2020 Woordfees at the Spier amphitheater, as part of the University of Stellenbosch Jazz band who performed with Anna Davel, Gloria Bosman and Lana Crowster. She also performed as a trio with Dalisu Ndlazi and Sphelelo Mazibuko at the Mzantsi Jazz Awards 2022, at the Soweto Theatre alongside South African jazz artists Khaya Mghlangu, Kgethi Nkotsi, Malcom Jiyane, Roland Moses and Sandile Masilela. Melorie Jane performed with her quintet as a student-act at the DSG Auditorium at the Standard Bank National Arts Festival in 2019. 

The artist is currently working on new material and has high prospects for future music releases. “I thank God for His guidance in my life and music, and I am looking forward to all that is yet to come.” 

Listen online to Melorie Jane's music on various online streaming platforms or watch her live music. For more information about upcoming shows and events, like and follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. https://meloriejane.co.za/

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