Patti Melita Quintet - Holiday (2020)

Patti O'Brien Melita grew up in New York's Capital District in a family of church choir and barbershop harmony singers. Although she studied classical piano and voice for several years, her real love proved to be traditional jazz. After singing in jazz and dance bands for a while, Patti took a hiatus from performing. It wasn't until much later that her new-found friends discovered her talent and clandestinely entered her name on the program of a major dance festival as singing with a swing band. Even after an extended lapse in performing, Patti found herself right at home at the microphone. Since then she has been heard singing at festivals and swing dances throughout upstate New York and New England, delighting audiences with her oh-so-smooth and alluring voice.

She was a long-time co-director of the celebrated Dance Flurry Festival which draws 5,000+ dance enthusiasts annually to Saratoga Springs and coordinated the Dance Flurry Organization's monthly swing dance events. She is an official consultant of all that is danceable at Falcon Ridge Festival held annually in Hillsdale, N.Y. Patti has played variety parts in musicals including Patsy Cline in a Legendary Entertainers' series and stars as one of the "Andrews Sisters" in the World War II musical "Songs That Won The War." She also played one of the Cotton Club singers in the musical "Bourbon St. To The Cotton Club."
Aside from performing, Patti has supported live music in her community for many years. She was involved with the Collar City Live! concert series in her home town, Troy, NY, is an officer of the Swingtime Jazz Society, Inc. in the NY Capital Region, is a member of A Place For Jazz Society in Schenectady, N.Y. and was Secretary-Treasurer of the Albany Musicians' Association, Local 14 AFM.

Pat Melita is a jazz vocalist with an uncanny knack for selecting the most memorable songs from the swing era and the skill to deliver them in a way that is both true to the period and up-to-date. Her compelling yet unaffected vocals reveal a deep love and understanding of the music. Pat's got the sound! -Jay Ungar & Molly Mason

Pat Melita has a rich, even voice, a sure sense of phrasing, and an ability to pick just the right tempo and the right song to keep the listeners and dancers swinging. -Peter Ecklund