Multi-award winning singer and songwriter, Melanie Scholtz has been known for years to be a musical chameleon with not only her distinctive voice but also her versatility as her calling card. For her seventh solo studio release, she returns to her role as an interpreter. Sweet Nancy offers a glimpse at Scholtz as a jazz singer celebrating and paying homage to her childhood influence, jazz legend and vocal powerhouse, Nancy Wilson.

The album was recorded in New Orleans in 2023 and was produced by Adonis Rose, legendary drummer, artistic director and executive director of the prestigious Nocca Foundation. It also features Oscar Rossignoli on piano, Jason Stewart on bass and Derek Douget on tenor and soprano saxophones. Featuring classics such as The very thought of you, Too late now and The Shadow Of Your Smile, the album celebrates Nancy Wilson’s legacy by leaving the untouchable songs untouched, but visiting the deep cuts for the die-hard fans.

I have always been a die-hard Nancy Wilson fan. Really always loved that she had a signature as a singer that made her stand out among the crowd. I had recorded a standards album called Living Standards in 2012 although it really was an album that featured experimental arrangements of the classics. I wanted to record a straight ahead jazz standards record with a definitive American flavor for my first “jazz“ release in the US. Nancy Wilson seemed the logical choice for me as I had been compared to her over the years in terms of tone and interpretation. I had been singing some of the ballads I recorded on this album for many years in the shower. Never dreamt the moment would come to actually record the songs I loved of hers in real life and to boot in the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans. - Melanie Scholtz

Melanie Scholtz - main and backing vocals
Oscar Rossignoli - piano Jason Stewart - double bass Adonis Rose - drums Derek Douget - tenor and soprano saxophone

Produced by Adonis Rose Co-produced by Melanie Scholtz Mixed and Engineered by Tim Stambaugh Mastered by Bruce Barielle

Photography - Krystal Conye Album layout - Chris Drukker

Recorded on Feb 24- 26 2023 in New Orleans at Artisound

Executive Producer and AfricArise Curator – Seton Hawkins