Jazz singer Melissa Lauren has smoothly made the transition from veteran swing “crooness” to songwriter. Currently in the studio recording songs for her sophomore album, she will be performing her show, ‘My Mess’ on a Western Canada tour, and will be stopping in at the Christ Church Trinity in Invermere.

Following the success of The Other Side, her first album released in 2012 to great review and charting, Melissa is eager to debut a slightly edgier and mature sound on My Mess. Taking on more of a polished form, the album and subsequent live sets weave together the songs in a way different from past albums and shows. Determined not to just be another singer simply calling standards, the tour and album will be presented as a cohesive story; transitions will feel more intuitive. Melissa is hoping to bring a more personal touch to everything. With a central theme of the beauty and torment of a mess, the songs delve into the more extreme sides of emotions we feel when dealing with the fact that our lives can completely flip in the blink of an eye.

Melissa collaborated songwriting and producing efforts with Toronto bassist Mark Cashion, and guitarist Eric St-Laurent, and the outcome is a quirky, more playful sound that tests an interesting balance of darker harmonies and more theatrical grooves, coupled with the singers signature soft and feminine word inflections.

Lauren, who will be recording her album following the tour, is looking forward to debuting a more polished, ‘story book’ stage show.

“I’ve done too many gigs that involve just calling standards. This one will be different, the songs will be in a cohesive story and transitions will feel more intuitive. I’m hoping to add a more personal touch to everything,” she said.

Presented by the Columbia Valley Arts Society, the show takes place at The Christ Church Trinity at 7 p.m. on March 25.

For more information, visit:  www.columbiavalleyarts.com or [email protected].

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