New Album from Melanie Scholtz

Melanie will also be joined by the Artscape Youth Jazz Vocal Ensemble which has been part of Artscape's Youth Jazz Festival for the past four years and in which Melanie has had a significant role. This year's festival takes place on 18 June and details will be announced at the launch.

Main mentor

Marlene le Roux, from Artscape, said: “Melanie has served as the main mentor to young musicians in Artscape's Youth Jazz programme. She is passionate, hard working and a role model for all. From her humble beginnings growing up in the Flats, the Standard Bank Young Artist Award gives hope and inspiration to many other young musicians. They too can fulfil a dream of becoming a top musician like Melanie.”

Original compositions

Of the new album, Melanie said: “'Connected' features original compositions with my band The Love Apples: Andrew Lilley on piano, Charles Lazar on double bass, Jonno Sweetman on drums, Gorm Helfjord on guitar and Norwegian trumpeter Ole Jorn Myklebust, who is also the producer of the album. It was recorded in February 2009 at Sunset Studios in Stellenbosch by Jurgen von Wechmar. The compositions are inspired by Africa and Scandinavia and uncluttered in terms of arrangements and instrumentation. It is very different from my first ‘Zillion Miles' as it is cleaner and fresher, making use of less overdubs, backing harmonies and backing vocals - simpler and more grown up. The launch of 'Connected' on 7 February will also give a taste of my standards album, 'Living Standards Vol 1', to be launched in April.”

Tickets for the Connected launch cost R50. Book through Artscape Dial-a-Seat on +27 (0)21 421 7695, Computicket, Shoprite Checkers outlets and at www.computicket.com.