For February's Black History Month we are featuring 4 amazing African-American women. This week's guest is Melissa McMillan, a singer/songwriter, who knew since she was a child exactly what she wanted to do: be a singer. Her clear desire to pursue music led her from high school bands to study jazz vocals with Rosana Eckert at University of North Texas (UNT), where she was encouraged to match her natural talent with her musicianship. UNT is where I met Melissa, she was a classmate of my daughter Julia, and they performed their senior recital together (Melissa on vocals, Julia on bass).

 Melissa describes her experience of moving from Texas to NYC, her work with Warby-Parker, singing with wedding bands and writing her original music. She completed her first CD a couple of years ago and is in the process of releasing her second one. Melissa has co-written songs with Brian Donohoe (“On your Own”) as well as Ross Pederson (“Glow”). She has performed at Sofar Sounds Concerts, numerous clubs throughout NYC, toured the US, sang the national anthem at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn and most recently performed at the Grammys at Madison Square Garden in NYC as a member of the resistance revival choir, backing up Kesha.

 Melissa was born in England (her mother is British, her father American), spent her early childhood in Albuquerque, NM, before moving to Texas for high school. She shares her experience of being bi-racial and how that ignited her involvement in social justice causes like Black Lives Matter and women’s rights. Upcoming shows: 2/13/18, Sofar Sounds Secret Show, NYC
Midtown location, Galentine's Day, click here for tickets

 2/26/18 at Three's Brewing, Brooklyn, 8pm   Find Melissa online at: melissamcmillanmusic.com Facebook Instagram Twitter

Links: EP: Melissa McMillan “I Will Follow”

#resistance revival choir

Brian Donohoe Progger Ross Pederson David Cook Snarky Puppy

UNT Senior Recital  featuring Melissa McMillan and Julia Adamy

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neal Hurston