Biography

Melanie Bong – A Distinctive Voice in Jazz

Melanie Bong’s journey into jazz began in Munich, born to a Baltic-Prussian artist and a Sinto singer-musician. With renowned guitarist Joe Bawelino as her uncle - music ran in her blood. Raised in Tyrol, Austria, Melanie gave her first solo performance at six and formed her first band, the Melanie Bong Crew (MBC), by 15. Her talent soon brought her onto big stages opening for legends like Joe Zawinul, Miles Davis, and Gilberto Gil. She honed her craft in Graz and New York, studying under vocal giants Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Andy Bey, and Mark Murphy.

Her first meeting with Sheila Jordan felt like fate:
"The night before I met Sheila, I dreamed about her. I had never seen her before, but in my dream, she was at my audition in Graz. The next day, I walked into the room—and there she was, exactly as I had seen her, even down to her clothes!"
This profound bond shaped Melanie’s artistry, with Sheila becoming her "musical mother."

A global citizen, Melanie has called Tyrol, Graz, Linz, Munich, Frankfurt, and New York City home, while touring extensively across Europe, Israel, Palestine, Japan, and beyond. When asked about her roots, she replies:
"From planet Earth, with a deep love for both the energy of New York City and Tokyo, and the tranquility of the Austrian Alps."

Music & Recognition

Melanie’s collaborations read like a jazz hall of fame: Dusko Gojkovic, Johannes Enders, Fritz Pauer, Lulo Reinhardt, Adelhard Roidinger, David Gazarow, Javier Malosetti, Tony Lakatos, Hiroshi Minami, and Keith Copeland, to name a few. Beyond performing, she has shared her expertise as a jazz vocal instructor at the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz and through workshops worldwide.

Her albums—Fantasia (2002), Gypsy Dream (2006), and Gypsy Fire — crystallize her signature sound: a bold fusion of jazz, Latin rhythms, and Sinti roots, delivered with unmistakable authenticity. Critics and peers celebrate her:

"Melanie Bong's songs are as original as her tuneful name… musical beauty flows in and out of this lovely persona." – Mark Murphy

“Melanie Bong is a tremendous singer.” – Bill Donaldson, Cadence USA

"Elis Regina had it, Billie Holiday had it, Carmen McRae had it, and now Melanie Bong has it." – William Grim, All About Jazz

"Melanie sings with passion and heart… listen and enjoy!!" – Steve Kuhn

"A truly outstanding voice—captivating from the very first note." – Jazzthing

With a commanding voice, evocative storytelling, and an electrifying presence, Melanie Bong continues to captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark on the international jazz scene.