Solo
Photo by Danielle Da Silva
An old soul in a young man’s body, this musician sounds three times his age and much larger than he looks. Fraser commands a room with a voice and takes aim with his guitar. With a significant collection of songs spanning the decades, ranging from the early blues of the 20s, to the tin pan alley tunes of the 30s, the swing and jump tunes of the 40s, to the Jazz and Blues standards of the 50s – Fraser brings together his love of music and passion for performance with his knowledge of music and its history to provide an entertaining, interesting, and nostalgic performance for listeners young and old.
Fraser began his musical studies at the age of 9 when he started learning trombone in public school. Continuing trombone throughout high school (and to this day, though somewhat infrequently), Fraser began playing guitar when he was 11. In high school he formed The Fraser Melvin Band (FMB) with long time friend and bass player, Alex Furlott. As the sole member of the group who could play and “sing” at the same time, Fraser assumed the duties of lead vocalist reluctantly.
In 2007, Fraser enrolled in Humber College’s degree program for Contemporary Music specializing guitar. While there, he and Alex Furlott solidified the lineup of the Fraser Melvin Band with Jon Hyde (Drums), Josh Cavan (Keys), and Andrew Moljgun (Sax & Tambourine). The quintet plays a mixture of music, fusing Blues, Jazz, and Funk. In September 2011, they were selected to represent the Collingwood Jazz & Blues Society in Memphis at the 2012 International Blues Challenge. August, 2011 saw the FMB place 3rd in the Toronto Blue Society’s Talent Search at Nathan Phillips Square, while July 2011 had them performing at the Barrie New Music Festival – where they were well received. In 2010, they were the winners of the Grand River Blues Society’s “Youth Legacy Challenge” and performed at the Kitchener Blues Festival Main Stage.
While still at Humber College, Fraser also formed the 12-piece R&B/Soul band, BF Soul. With three soulful female vocalists, a tight 5-piece horn section, and a rhythm section that grooves, this band knows how to get down. This summer had them opening for blues guitar legend Johnny Winter at the Kitchener Blues Festival, as well as Canadian Rock band, Chilliwack, at the Lakeshore Mardi Gras Festival. CBC Radio 1 has also aired their original songs, “He’s My Man” on Metro Morning and “Real Talk” and “Wishing Tree” on Here And Now.
Fraser Melvin performs in and around Toronto with the Fraser Melvin Band and BF Soul and frequently performs solo gigs at a variety of retirement homes, community centres and other locations where he is appreciated for his rapport with audiences and his engaging musicianship.
Fraser began his musical studies at the age of 9 when he started learning trombone in public school. Continuing trombone throughout high school (and to this day, though somewhat infrequently), Fraser began playing guitar when he was 11. In high school he formed The Fraser Melvin Band (FMB) with long time friend and bass player, Alex Furlott. As the sole member of the group who could play and “sing” at the same time, Fraser assumed the duties of lead vocalist reluctantly.
In 2007, Fraser enrolled in Humber College’s degree program for Contemporary Music specializing guitar. While there, he and Alex Furlott solidified the lineup of the Fraser Melvin Band with Jon Hyde (Drums), Josh Cavan (Keys), and Andrew Moljgun (Sax & Tambourine). The quintet plays a mixture of music, fusing Blues, Jazz, and Funk. In September 2011, they were selected to represent the Collingwood Jazz & Blues Society in Memphis at the 2012 International Blues Challenge. August, 2011 saw the FMB place 3rd in the Toronto Blue Society’s Talent Search at Nathan Phillips Square, while July 2011 had them performing at the Barrie New Music Festival – where they were well received. In 2010, they were the winners of the Grand River Blues Society’s “Youth Legacy Challenge” and performed at the Kitchener Blues Festival Main Stage.
While still at Humber College, Fraser also formed the 12-piece R&B/Soul band, BF Soul. With three soulful female vocalists, a tight 5-piece horn section, and a rhythm section that grooves, this band knows how to get down. This summer had them opening for blues guitar legend Johnny Winter at the Kitchener Blues Festival, as well as Canadian Rock band, Chilliwack, at the Lakeshore Mardi Gras Festival. CBC Radio 1 has also aired their original songs, “He’s My Man” on Metro Morning and “Real Talk” and “Wishing Tree” on Here And Now.
Fraser Melvin performs in and around Toronto with the Fraser Melvin Band and BF Soul and frequently performs solo gigs at a variety of retirement homes, community centres and other locations where he is appreciated for his rapport with audiences and his engaging musicianship.
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