This Autumn, Melissa James will continue her Gig in a Gallery project with a special concert at the Queen Of Hoxton with a range of musicians, bands and artists to raise money for Small Steps Project. The Small Steps project charity was set up by former celebrity journalist, Amy Hanson, in support of the many impoverished, barefoot children who live on and feed from municipal rubbish dumps in developing countries.
Melissa first heard about Small Steps Project late last year, when she happened to tune into a radio programme and heard Amy Hanson talking about the work of SSP. Keen to help in some way, Melissa immediately began to think about what she could do and, in time, the concept of Gig in a Gallery was born. These combine what Melissa normally does as a singer/performer with putting on pop-up concerts in art/photographic galleries in order to raise funds and awareness for SSP. 100% of proceeds from ticket sales will go to the charity. Further donations can also be made online at http://justgiving.com/gig-in-a-gallery.
The first Gig in a Gallery concert took place in July at The Gallery Café in Bethnal Green, followed by a concert at Canvas in Wimbledon Village in August. A special concert was planned at a Dorothy’s Gallery in Paris at the end of August and the fourth happened in September at House in Camberwell. The special multi-artist event at the Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch on 30th October, is to be headlined by the legendary singer-songwriter and BBC 6Music DJ, Tom Robinson, who recently presented a session by Melissa and her band on his BBC 6Music show. Tom will also perform with Melissa on a song that the two have written together. Guests are promised an evening of mixed entertainment and talents, the line up of seven also includes spoken word artist Dean Atta.
The past year has been a very busy time for Melissa James, who released her critically-acclaimed debut album, Day Dawns on SlickerSounds in June 2012. She is increasingly in demand as a live performer and was recently thrilled to be invited to perform at this year’s London Jazz Festival.
Fusing her love of blues, folk, jazz and soul, Melissa’s songs take the listener on mini detours, which often open up to reveal the sometimes raw elements of her innermost thoughts. Combined with the velvety power of her delivery, it makes for a spine tingling experience.
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MELISSA JAMES – GIG IN GALLERY
QUEEN OF HOXTON, 1-5 CURTAIN ROAD, LONDON, EC2A 3JX
DATE: WEDNESDAY 30TH OCTOBER
TIME: 7PM
TICKETS: £5 (Adv) from http://musicglue.com/giginagallery/
NEAREST TRANSPORT: LIVERPOOL STREET / OLD STREET TUBE OR SHOREDITCH HIGH STREET OVERGROUND
