Meet Melissa Jones | Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
One of my favorite affirmations comes from studying emotional intelligence and sciences based thinking. I like the saying “be comfortable with the uncomfortable” because I am a firm believer of pushing myself and getting better and without struggle progress doesn’t come and so I try to get myself to acclimate with the challenge or something that is uncomfortable and move on to the next challenge that comes my way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer/songwriter from Oakland California but currently based in Brooklyn, Ny. I moved to New York because I found a network of people that aligned with my vision. I started singing with a band when I was in Oakland and in Brooklyn I am more focused on my solo work/artistry. I am excited because I have grown so much here. My vocal range has improved and I have released two singles along with two videos. Moving to a different location was challenging but I felt that I had great support from the community and that has helped me gain confidence. I moved during the pandemic and in the same year lost my mother and grandfather. I want the world to know that I am resilient and that I am a fighter. I want the world to know that I am a hard worker and my music is about celebrating black culture, independence, womanhood, and the many sides of myself as an artist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the area I would first show them around Brooklyn. I would take her to Brooklyn Music Kitchen to see live music and eat the food. I would also explore the NY aquarium and go to Coney Island beach. Some of the most exciting places to check out would be Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, and the Bronx Zoo. I would also check out the Blue Note for live music as well as Smalls where live jazz music is played.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shoutout my partner Errick Lewis who has taught me so much about musicianship and production. He is responsible for producing my upcoming album. He’s also the owner of Xvibe Records, which is an upcoming indie label in Brooklyn. His mission is to help and support upcoming artists and build a network/ team of folks to support his mission.

Website: https://melissajones.bandzoogle.com/

Instagram: @melissajonesmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjdastar1

Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/mnjones

Image Credits
Errick Lewis, Xvibe Visual Leon Matthew Noir Stephanie Andreana