Dr. Myra Melford

Biography

Originally from Chicago, Myra Melford is a classically trained composer and pianist known for her singular, kinetic, and lyrical voice in improvisation. Her musical work is inspired by Chicago blues, architecture, jazz, and experimental music, and she has released 40 recordings, serving as a leader or co-leader on more than 20 of them. Melford leads several bands, including the celebrated quintet Snowy Egret and the collective Trio M. She is a Guggenheim Fellow and has received numerous accolades, including the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award (2013) and the Alpert Award in the Arts (2012). Melford has been recognized in multiple Beat Critic’s polls by the Jazz Journalist Association. As the Artistic Director and Co-curator of the 2015 New Frequencies Fest: Jazz@YBCA in San Francisco, she continuously contributes to the jazz community. Recent projects include new recordings with Snowy Egret and other collaborations, showcasing her work in innovative contexts. Melford joined the Department of Music at the University of California, Berkeley in 2004, where she teaches contemporary jazz and improvisation-based music composition to undergraduate and graduate performers and composers. She also lectures on the innovations in jazz from 1959 to 1969 and their impact on music culture.

Research Interests