Melorie Jane is back on the stage scene with some new music. First up is The Blue Room. KEANETSE MOKHOTHU caught up with her in the midst of much preparation and excitement.
‘New music’, what does this description mean?
I have been working on quite a few new compositions. Some are not yet ready to be performed and shared, and others are making their way into my performances, such as the Blue Room performance on the 31 of August, 2023. ‘New music’ has two meanings in this specific case – one, it is music that is unrecorded and unknown to my listeners, and two, it’s music with a fresh feel and inspo! These pieces have a novel type of sound, similar still to my previous music, but they come from a different place. The colour is bright green, growing, organic and ready.
What is your timing strategy when coming to your album succession – why?
I am unable at the moment to release any specifics on dates for my next album as I believe the music first needs to mature on stage. The interaction with the audience will have a big impact on the it and its growth. What I can say is, there are a few pieces that are almost ready and others are still progress. So, there is definitely something to look forward to.
In terms of the angle, where are the fresh new sounds coming from?
As of late, I had a major encounter with God that changed my life and my writing. These new original (works) are inspired by Him and my experiences of Him. All Glory be to God! I am really excited for about this journey and this new sound. That being said, the new music is still South African jazz. It still has strong influences of artists I look up to and listen to. I feel it is important to keep creating unique material, staying real and in step with who you are as an artist. After last year’s Mzantsi Jazz Awards, I had the opportunity to perform regularly with more artists and feel I have grown immensely since then.
How do your albums relate to one another, apart from the fact that theyyou’re your ‘brainchildren’?
My new music will definitely have a MJ (Melorie Jane) signature. It is influenced by South African jazz and other genres such as film music, funk and Latin which is similar to my latest album More or Less. Both sets of sounds on More or less and this current project, deal with personal encounters. The idea behind it, is to make the music more accessible and authentic. There is a balance between detached, abstract harmonic plane and grooves and sounds that have a feeling of home, a balance of modern and traditional, and paying homage to those who came before us, specifically South African jazz musicians. Finally, there will be an exploration of new sonic colours.
The process of creating the ensemble for your Blue Room gig, please shed some light on this exciting step? Is this the same ensemble that you will be recording with?
I am very excited about the Blue Room ensemble. It comprises of musicians Danél Dippenaar on alto saxophone and flute, Bonga Mosola on trumpet, Chanté Phillips on drums and Chadleigh Gowar on bass. This specific ensemble has a great balance of personalities, and great depth of experience and knowledge. The horn section players complement each other.
Both are capable of playing quite sensitively, and both are very well acquainted with jazz, particularly South African jazz. The rhythm section, two outstanding artists in their own right who work very well together. They are also believers who carry the music on a different level with me. I am privileged to have these musicians by my side, hopefully I can have them on my studio recording as well.
Melorie Jane live in Cape Town
Grub & Vine: Blue Room
Thursday, 31 August 2023, from 7pm
R200 for the evening
103 Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets www.theblueroomza.co.za/welcome/
087 153 5244
Who: Melorie Jane Cape Town
Journalist: Keanetse Mokhothu
WS
