Michele Mele - Blog

About 10 years ago at Gate 403 on Roncesvale in Toronto…

Ron Davis was playing piano and invited me out. I went with my friend and was very nervous. I had on black pants and my favorite pink T-shirt. It had little embroidered roses around the neckline.

What did I sing? I think it was Honeysuckle Rose. I had to do it because I had my first gig coming up in a few months… I was always a piano player. A classical piano player at that!! I wrote music, I taught music, I directed musicals… but I never considered myself a singer! Yikes!!!!

It was fun!! I loved it… I wanted to do more!! Everyone was nice!!

I went back the next week, and then to another club called Sax on Yonge. There was a trio led by the wonderful and talented Julie Michels. I brought one of my originals. I did One Note Samba, and then the next week I had the courage to try out the original… Arms Length. My friend took pictures outside the club. I felt silly, but I wish I had that photo now.

Julie was wonderful and very encouraging and welcoming, not to mention a phenomenal singer!

I think open mics are great. It’s all about being… open!!

Can’t Stop the Passion.

That’s the title of the new show. It’s time.

We had our first rehearsal recently… I’m very excited. I was so worried that I wouldn’t have enough material for the guys to go through. I was copying and photocopying 5 minutes before they arrived… my darling Bernie Senensky, wonderful Russ Boswell and my brother John Mele.

Of course the minute Johnny walks in the door he says, “Let’s eat”!!!! That’s kind of our thing. We have as much fun eating as we do playing!! (hahaha)

I feed the boys at every rehearsal as long as we have time. In fact Bern asked me this time, “Why do you feel the need to feed us all the time?” It’s the bonding thing. Fullfilling all the senses, and doing it together. I think it really makes everyone play better if they know there’s food at the end…sometimes, like today, before we even start!! (Although, I can’t eat before.)

Chocolate, of course, is the exception. ALWAYS chocolate.

So, got into the first song and by the time we got the form straight we were half way through… I had 8 songs ready to go and I think we only got through 3 or 4…but they’re going to be great!!!!

There is a strange comfort more calming than a cup of tea, in going over mechanics/technique, while baking.

Nothing gets me more relaxed or focused than slipping in my vocalise CD and baking cookies while I practice.

It’s also quite amazing and helpful to be alone. A rare treat that I can enjoy every time I perform away from home.

gooooweeeoooooeeeeeeoooooooo