Melva Houston is a jazz and blues vocalist whose experience includes more than 20 years of live performances across the US and internationally.  A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Melva began her career with gospel performances.  At the age of 16, she moved into R&B as a backup singer for Stax Records where she recorded with R&B greats such as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Wilson Pickett and Sam and Dave.  Melva made her first tour of Europe with the Platters and starred in a Motown Revue.

Once Melva discovered jazz and blues, she found her musical passion 
and has been performing these styles for most of her career.  Her 
performances include jazz standards and blues featuring songs from the 
jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Nina Simone.  
In her concerts, Melva is accompanied by her band of excellent musicians.

2007 marks Melva’s 10th year tour of Germany and the release of her
most accomplished CD, Black Coffee.  In 2006, Melva Houston was
acknowledged as the Goodwill Ambassador of the "Fundacion
Alzheimer Aruba" and was a Telly Award winner for her short-form
documentary promo: Melva Houston: Keeping Jazz Alive.

Today, Melva tours the US, Spain, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and the
Caribbean on her mission to keep jazz alive.  In addition to her concerts,
Melva also conducts vocal workshops for aspiring singers.  By sharing her
passion, energy and love of music, Melva has received the adulation of
countless audiences around the world.

Main photo by H. Kalberer ~ Website art by Jane Hughes