User:MelZebra

If you want to feel inspired and believe anything is possible then MelZebra is an artist you need to hear. Mel is a deaf musician who is breaking down barriers and showcasing that regardless of any disability you can achieve anything. It's true that many people see deaf musicians as a contradiction in terms. There are very few deaf artists; Beethoven, Evelyn, Glennie, Pete Townsend and now MelZebra. She was born deaf, but whenever she plays music her hearing just isn't a problem for her. She's a prolific songwriter and professional musician, playing guitar, sax, percussion, and has founded various bands throughout her career including MelZebra and the Buffaloes, Eastern European-flavoured 6-piece Gypskazz and her jazz quartet The Zebra Ensemble. Growing up, Mel was surrounded by music; her mother is a Royal Academy of Music trained pianist and violinist and her father is a French-horn plating scientist. She began her own musical journey as session saxophonist and did a jazz post-grad in Edinburgh where she also ran a successful Sunday afternoon jazz jam. The vibrant Edinburgh music scene inspired MelZebra to start writing her own songs which ranged from indie rock to post-punk to ska to jazz composition, which she played live at almost every single music venue in the city of Edinburgh earning her a wonderful reputation throughout the city. MelZebra then decided to move to London in search of exciting, new musical horizons. It was here she formed the appropriately-named Londinos, playing Trafalgar Square for the Paralympic Games. Having been involved in direct action political activism she then went on to create punk-rock band Parafernalia with whom she recorded her first LP; Weekend Anarchist and then joined One Jah doing sax arrangements for songs of social justice and freedom. While MelZebra's hearing impairment – 50% neuro -congenital hearing loss means she cannot hear, for example phonics as clearly as her non-deaf counterparts, she compensates this with an acute sense of vibration and resonance. She loves bass and will happily stand in front of speakers at clubs, feeling the vibrations running up her back. The holy grail of the 'musical space' where the indescribable magic that creates great music happens is accessed by a different sensory gateway when your route works differently from other musicians. A no less compelling pathway with the same ecstatic destination. MelZebra is creating her own way in this industry and is inspiring a new wave of artists as she pursuers her own career. As a deaf multi-instrumentalist – including the more traditionally male oriented electric guitar and saxophone, composer, vocalist and songwriter MelZebra has come up against her fair share of prejudice on the British music scene. But once she starts playing her saxophone all that fades away, at least for the duration of her set. But it is persuading influential people to give her a chance in the first place that can be extremely challenging despite her obvious musical talents. Her new album 'Born Deaf' is a truly inspirational record consisting of 11 stand-out original tracks that shine a light on the extremely exciting talent MelZebra possesses. As a deaf artist she is creating something truly magical and is showing all deaf people around the world that anything is possible. 'Born Deaf' is an album with an exciting mix of Psychedelia Alt rock New wave - Post-punk beat Experimental rock songs that will take listeners on a wonderful musical journey. MelZebra is an artist who is ready to take the scene by storm and with this LP she has created a timeless record that has the ability to move people and stand the test of time.