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Melissa Manchester’s first studio album in a decade and her first-ever independent release, is out today and she’ll be celebrating tonight with a sold-out appearance at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles. The session, which is part of the popular “The Drop” series, will feature an interview with Melissa, moderated by Scott Goldman, Vice President of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation, plus a special performance.
The GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter will appear on Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” on February 16. The episode will re-air on February 17. Manchester will guest on PBS’ “Tavis Smiley” later this month. Her upcoming tour dates include four shows at 54 Below in New York City (March 26-28). See below for itinerary. Melissa’s recent album release show at Spaghettini & the Dave Koz Lounge in Beverly Hills sold out, prompting the venue to add a second show.
“Feelin’ For You,” the smoldering first single from You Gotta Love the Life, was most added in its first week at Smooth Jazz radio and is now Chartbound. Fans can get a taste of “Feelin’ For You,” which features an electrifying guitar solo by contemporary blues icon Keb’Mo’, who co-produced the song with Manchester and Terry Wollman, HERE.
Manchester introduced songs from You Gotta Love the Life and played old favorites like “Midnight Blue” during an hour-long session with Michael Feinstein on NPR’s “Song Travels.” The episode can be streamed at http://www.npr.org/2015/01/16/377749602/melissa-manchester-on-song-travels. Billboard praised the “magic moments” on You Gotta Love the Life and premiered the track “Your Love Is Where I Live,” which features Stevie Wonder on harmonica, HERE.
With You Gotta Love the Life, Manchester celebrates not only more than 40 years as a GRAMMY-winning performer and songwriter, but a renewed independence and vitality. The buoyant title track opens the album with Gershwin/Tower of Power-inspired horn fanfare and gutsy, autobiographical lyrics. “Other End of the Phone,” a tribute to enduring friendships that she co-wrote with the late Hal David, pairs Melissa with one of her all-time idols, Dionne Warwick, and features Joe Sample on piano in one of his last recordings. Other guests include Al Jarreau, who duets with Manchester on “Big Light,” and Dave Koz.
Manchester’s career is remarkable not only for its longevity and accomplishments, but for its versatility. Following her stint as a founding member of Bette Midler’s Harlettes, she established herself as a solo artist with Top 10 hits like “Midnight Blue,” the GRAMMY-nominated “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and the GRAMMY-winning “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.” Her songs have been tapped by motion pictures, netting her two Oscar nominations, and recorded by such artists as Barbra Streisand, Dusty Springfield, Alison Krauss and Roberta Flack. Manchester has appeared on both the large screen in movies (For The Boys) and small screen in television (Blossom), as well as the stage.
She is an honorary artist in residence at Citrus College, where she recorded the new album. Manchester also teaches at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music and it was, in fact, her USC students who inspired her to consider taking an independent route with You Gotta Love the Life. Manchester financed the album with an Indiegogo campaign and is contributing a portion of the proceeds to Barry Manilow’s The Manilow Music Project, which benefits school music programs. She will be doing master classes with students at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell on February 26 and 27, culminating with a concert on February 28.
MELISSA MANCHESTER – UPCOMING TOUR DATES
2/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ The GRAMMY Museum – “The Drop” SOLD OUT
2/15 – Sidney, OH @ Gateway Arts Council
2/20 – Mount Dora, FL @ Mount Dora Music Festival
2/26-28 – Lowell, MA @ University of Massachusetts – master classes/concert
3/3 – Boca Raton, FL @ Jazziz
3/4 – Boca Raton, FL @ Jazziz
3/5 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
3/7 – Delray Beach, FL @ Huntington Lakes SOLD OUT
3/7 – Delray Beach, FL @ Rainberry Bay SOLD OUT
3/11 – Deerfield Beach, FL @ Century Village SOLD OUT
3/14 – Sunrise, FL @ Sunrise Lakes SOLD OUT
3/14 – Tamarac, FL @ Kings Point Tamarac SOLD OUT
3/26 – New York, NY @ 54 Below
3/27 – New York, NY @ 54 Below
3/28 – New York, NY @ 54 Below – two shows
4/9 – Palm Desert, CA @ McCallum Theatre
5/16 – Dowagiac, MI @ Dogwood Fine Arts Festival
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