Femme Fatale Friday: Vocalist Melody Gardot
June 11, 2010 at 7:15 AM Who is Melody Gardot?
If it weren't for a hit and run accident in Philadelphia, PA (2003) when she was a 19 year old college student, Melody Gardot may have never began to sing.
The accident fractured her pelvis, damaged her spine, and Gardot suffered a traumatic brain injury that affected her memory, her speech, and left her hypersensitive to light and sound.
Therapy and drugs had failed to rehabilitate her. In desperation, her doctor (Dr. Richard Jermyn) suggested Melody try music. (She had played piano in college.)
"It's a different part of your brain that perceives music," said Dr. Jermyn.
Music involves listening and making a verbal attempt to sing or hum is thought to help the brain form new pathways.
At first, Gardot learned to hum and was soon able to sing into a tape recorder. She made good progress and was eventually able to write original songs.
Melody posted her songs to MySpace in 2006. After that, she began to play those songs at venues in Philadelphia and was spotted by the radio station WXPN (operated by the University of Pennsylvania).
WXPN encouraged her to assemble a demo, which was quickly picked up by Universal Records/Verve.
Her first album for Verve, "Worrisome Heart
Where can you see her perform?
- June 11, at Park West in Chicago, IL
- June 15, at El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, CA
- June 17, at The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA
- June 18, at Aladin Theater in Portland, OR
- June 19, at Moore Theater in Seattle, WA
- June 29, at Kipotheatro Papagou in Athens, Greece
Have you seen Melody Gardot perform live? It would be very cool to hear about your experience!
Sources: www.melodygardot.com, www.cbsnews.com, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melody_Gardot
Reader Comments (4)
Melody by name, melodious by nature. This beautiful, soulful, hilariously funny, charming woman at only 25 years of age is the most unique Singer/Songwriter in the world today. I am thrilled to have come across her music and her she is an inspiration to all of us. Heaven sent - beautiful caring woman. Who I saw live in London on 18th April and can't wait to see her live again this year on two more occasions during her tour. God Bless and cherish her.
Hi Ann Marie!
Thank you for taking time out of your day to share with us your personal experience of seeing Melody Gardot live.
It sounds like the show at the Palladium was special! I wish that I could have seen it as well. Hopefully, she will release a DVD of her tour soon.
DM
Yo Donna!
I worked with Melody for a short time in 2008 making appearances in Philly, NYC and at the London Jazz Festival. Great band and Melody is a fantastic singer/songwriter. Dig on her old bassist Ken Pendergast. That's my boy!
Josh
Hi Josh!
Thanks for the heads up on the bassist Ken Pendergast. I have to definitely check him out very soon.
I'm thrilled to hear that you had a fabulous experience with Melody and her band. I can't wait to see her live myself! :D