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Melody Gardot
American jazz singer (born 1985)
Melody Joy Gardot ; born February 2, 1985) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and composer. Widely considered as one of the best jazz vocalists of her generation, she is known for her smoky contralto voice, understated vocal delivery, and a musical style that blends jazz with blues, bossa nova, folk, and pop influences.
Gardot first gained attention in the mid-2000s and achieved international recognition with five studio albums: Worrisome Heart (2006), My One and Only Thrill (2009), The Absence (2012), Currency of Man (2015), and Sunset in the Blue (2020).
Gardot was born in New Jersey and was brought up by her grandparents. Her grandmother was a Polish immigrant. Her mother, a photographer, traveled often, so they had few possessions and lived out of suitcases. Gardot studied fashion at the Community College of Philadelphia.
Gardot began studying music at the age of nine and was exposed early to a wide range of musical styles. As a teenager, she developed as a live performer, playing piano in bars and clubs around Philadelphia by the age of 16. Performing several nights a week, she insisted on playing only music she admired, drawing on influences that ranged from classic pop and jazz artists such as The Mamas & the Papas and Duke Ellington to alternative rock acts including Radiohead.
Gardot is regarded as one of the most distinctive and influential jazz vocalists of the early 21st century, praised for her hushed vocal delivery, restrained emotional expression, and synthesis of traditional jazz with blues, folk, and contemporary pop elements. Critics frequently compare her phrasing and tonal subtlety to classic singers such as Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Nina Simone, while emphasizing her modern songwriting sensibility and cinematic atmosphere.
Born February 2, 1985 in New Jersey. American jazz vocalist, pianist, guitarist, composer and lyricist. Currently residing in Philadelphia.
In 2003 she was run over by a car while riding her bicycle, leaving her disabled in hospital for over year. She had to re-learn things like to speak and walk. She also got over-sensitive to sound and light resulting in her all-day use of dark sunglasses. To this day she still uses a cane to walk.
Her musical career began with piano lessons at the age of nine and music became her main therapy during her recovery to a normal life. Since her brain suffered neural-pathway damages she trained up her voice by humming and eventually sing into a tape recorder. She also learned to play the guitar while being hospitalized.
She began writing songs and made them available on iTunes and later began performing them around Philadelphia venues. Radio station WXPN, who helped launch Norah Jones career, took notice of Gardot. They encouraged her to make a demo which soon sparked the interest at Universal Records. She released her first album "Worrisome Heart" in 2006 (later re-released on Verve Records in 2008).
Also known as: Gardot, M. Gardot, M.G., M.Gardot, MG
From Discogs (free to use). Their entry
Liner notes
Melody Gardot, the records, oldest first
Some Lessons
2005 ep
Worrisome Heart
2007 album
wanted
My One and Only Thrill
2008 ep
wanted
My One and Only Thrill
2009 album
wanted
Bye Bye Blackbird
2010 ep
The Absence
2012 ep
wanted
The Absence
2012 album
wanted
Currency of Man
2015 album
wanted
Sunset in the Blue
2020 album
wanted
Entre eux deux
2022 album
Entre eux deux: the Paris Sessions
2023 ep
Sayonara Meu Amor
2024 ep
Records from MusicBrainz; covers from the Cover Art Archive.
"Your Heart Is as Black as Night" is a song by American jazz singer and songwriter Melody Gardot, released on February 22, 2011, as the third single from her second studio album, My One and Only Thrill. The song was written by Gardot and produced by Larry Klein.
Other singles released from the album are "Who Will Comfort Me" and "Baby I'm a Fool".
Background
The song was recorded for Gardot's second studio album, My One and Only Thrill, which was released on March 16, 2009, by Verve Records. The album was produced by Larry Klein, known for his work with Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock. "Your Heart Is as Black as Night" appears as the fourth track on the album. The lyrics explore such themes as romantic betrayal and wariness.
Covers
The song has been covered by other artists, most notably by Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa on their 2011 collaborative album Don't Explain. Other covers include versions by Chelsey Forrest and Kirk Smart (2010), Counterparts (2013), and several others.
"Baby I'm a Fool" is a song written and composed by American jazz singer-songwriter Melody Gardot. It was released as the second single from her second full-length album, My One and Only Thrill.
According to Gardot, the lyrics are about "two coquette people who won't admit they are in love with each other." A live rendition of the song was also recorded and released on her Live from SoHo EP. It also appeared in her 2018 live album Live in Europe.
Music video
A music video for "Baby I'm a Fool" was directed by Aaron Platt produced by Justin Cronkite, and filmed entirely in black-and-white. The video displays Gardot resting in an Clawfoot bathtub flanked by dancers dressed in tuxedos who perform an elaborate choreographic sequence to the rhythm of the song.
"Who Will Comfort Me" is a song written and composed by American jazz singer-songwriter Melody Gardot. It was released as the lead single for her second studio album My One and Only Thrill.
A live rendition of the song was also recorded and released on her Live from SoHo EP.
