Mélissa Laveaux

Mélissa Laveaux

Mélissa Laveaux is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist from Montréal, Québec, with Haitian heritage. She works in indie folk, and her music also draws on roots, folk, blues, soul and jazz. Her style features percussive finger-style guitar and soulful vocals.

Career

Laveaux releases music as an independent artist and is previously signed to No Format!. She releases her first full-length album in 2006, with original songs that she co-produces with percussionist Rob Reid, who plays tabla and cajón, and Lisa Patterson of Imaginit Music Studios.

She opens for artists including Meshell Ndegeocello, Feist and Lura, and performs at jazz and popular music festivals in several countries. She appears frequently in France, and also regularly performs in Japan and Spain.

Festivals, radio and recognition

Her festival appearances include the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Cully Jazz, Donostia Jazzaldia, Festival du Bout du Monde, Les Francofolies de La Rochelle, Sakifo Musik Festival in La Réunion Island, and le Printemps de Bourges. She also makes guest appearances on CBC Radio programmes including Ottawa Morning and All in a Day, as well as on national broadcasts such as Bandwidth, Canada Live and Go!.

In 2006, she receives a Songs from the Heart award in the World Music category for her composition “Koud'lo” at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference. In 2018, her album Radyo Siwel receives long-list recognition for the Polaris Music Prize.

Education and collaboration

Laveaux earns an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethics from the University of Ottawa in December 2007. In 2009, she collaborates with producer MaJiKer on a track intended for his B-side EP Body Piano Machine.