“It’s an increasingly rare occurrence to encounter a vocal jazz performance at which, after only a bit of the first number, I can just relax in the realization that I am in the presence of a master of the form, that I will gladly put myself in his or her hands and let them take me on their journey. Melissa Hamilton is such a singer.” – Gerry Geddes, bistroawards.com

 

“Hamilton shared the spotlight with bassist Marty Ballou on another of the set’s highlights, a duet tribute to the late Sarah Vaughan on the ballad Our Love is Here to Stay. It was a chance to hear Hamilton’s voice take some Betty Carter-like offbeat chances…” – Bob Young, Boston Herald

 

“Melissa Hamilton was a standout, letting us know from the start we were in the hands of a pro.” – Letter to the Editor, Putnam County News

 

 

Today she can be found in The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz as a member of the acclaimed jazz vocal group, The Ritz, but Melissa Hamilton began her singing career in her elementary school auditorium, singing the National Anthem at first grade assemblies. Years of classical flute study and performances as a folk singer/guitarist ensued, but it wasn’t until college that her jazz epiphany occurred when she heard Ella Fitzgerald sing.

 
In 1987, Melissa was invited to join The Ritz, a vocal ensemble celebrated for its tight harmonies and inventive arrangements. In addition to performing at many of the world’s notable venues and jazz festivals, Melissa recorded four albums with The Ritz on the Denon label – Movin’ Up (1988), Flying (1989), The Spirit of Christmas (1989) and their final album, Almost Blue (1991), which she also produced. 

Melissa has appeared at many of NYC’s leading venues, including Birdland, The Blue Note, Carnegie Hall, Fat Tuesdays, J’s, The Metropolitan Room, The Triad, Cornelia Street Cafe, Zinc Bar, Jazz at Kitano and Iridium, where she recorded many of the tracks for her first solo CD, Live Songs and Love Songs (2012).

Melissa opened for Billy Taylor at the Bright Moments Jazz Festival and has performed with numerous distinguished jazz musicians including Clark Terry, Doc Cheatham, Grady Tate and Frank Wess. She toured as a backup vocalist with the legendary guitarist, David Bromberg.

Melissa taught at the University of Maine and has served as a clinician and adjudicator for high school and college jazz programs. In 1996, she received the University of Maine’s Distinguished Achievement Award and was honored to speak at its commencement exercises. She was a finalist in both the 2009 Jazzmobile Vocal Competition and the 2015 HotHouse Magazine Fan’s Decision Contest.