David Mellor
Composer • Lyricist • Arranger • Conductor • Pianist
WELCOME
to David Mellor Music
Since I was a small boy all I ever wanted was to be a musician. However, at eight years old, conducting an imaginary orchestra from records on an old turntable to the actual thing is quite a journey. There have been disappointments along the way but it is possible, not easy perhaps but possible.
I have been extremely fortunate to enjoy a career doing something I really enjoy, a career which has taken me around the world several times and allowed me to gather some wonderful friends. Mistakes? – certainly, ‘I’ve made a few’. However, music and particularly the piano, remains a constant source of joy, comfort and personal satisfaction.
Now I enjoy the creative process, be it music or literature probably more than at any other time in my life. Each day there is so much to continually learn and that is a delight; to then create, record and hear it performed by wonderfully talented musicians and actors is a joy.
On this website you can hear some of the music I’ve written, discover some of the things I’ve managed to do and what is planned for the future.
David Mellor
BIOGRAPHY
Career
Excelling at classical piano from age six he was also encouraged to listen to and play an eclectic range of music, something which proved to be beneficial in later years. Although he played in school concerts before this, Mellor performed in public from age twelve in local productions and dance groups, later moving into cabaret and theatre work, not returning to classical works until later in life.
Winner of ‘Best UK Songwriter’ he went on to conduct, arrange and collaborate with many artistes and musicians. He has been personal musical director for numerous international singers, conducted and performed in musicals in London’s West End and been guest conductor with the Moscow, Prague, Warsaw and Scottish Symphony Orchestras.
Recordings
Now principally a composer and arranger – he has written a large and varied mix of work from the jazz influenced ‘Meet Me in Paris’ which was greeted warmly by then Paris Mayor M. Bertrand Delanoe and is the title music for a French screenplay from a Book of the same name; the moving 9/11 composition ‘Peace Anthem;’ to a piece for Symphony Orchestra about a Great War Tragedy in his hometown, one of several symphonic pieces he has composed.
In addition he has appeared on countless recordings for artistes as well as television and radio worldwide and has numerous composing credits to his name.
Current
As a vehicle for his compositions and arrangements David has formed David Mellor’s 22 piece Jazz Orchestra – website the22jazz.com – featuring UK Tenor Saxophonist ALAN WAKEMAN and an array of excellent musicians performing new compositions and originals from David’s ‘Meet Me in Paris’ album. Also in the programme is the music of Michel Legrand, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Django Reinhardt, Bob James, Stan Getz, Diana Krall and others. Rehearsals for the orchestra’s performances at theatres and concert halls in the UK & Europe are now scheduled. We are grateful to the private individuals who have already generously contributed to the initial creation of the Orchestra and a Crowdfunding campaign will begin early November 2023 to allow for the whole 22 piece orchestra to begin rehearsals together with recording and filming for social media broadcast. On the back of the orchestra will be ‘the 22’ Jazz Academy an educational facility for aspiring and talented young Jazz musicians. We are continually seeking private and corporate sponsors, including social media supporters who can generously allow this to happen. Check BLOG bar at the top of this page for regular updated information. For bookings/sponsorship enquiries please use the contact button.
Following on from a successful World Premiere Concert at Blackburn Cathedral where he conducted his new symphony, ‘Tragedy on Darwen Moor, December 1917’ further concerts are now planned. Also at that concert he conducted an extended symphonic version of his 9/11 work ‘Peace Anthem.’
David also works with his quartet and as a soloist for private functions. He performs in his own One Man Show: ‘A Life in Music’ in which through music and anecdotes he tells of his life as a Professional Musician. From first piano lessons through London West End Musicals; Television, Radio, Recording & travelling the World as Personal Musical Director to International Singing Stars including UK vocalist Matt Monro.
Association
A small selection of the many people David has collaborated with:- Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Matt Monro, Sir George Martin, Sir Richard Eyre, Don Black, Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Sacha Distel, Jason Donovan, David Essex, Des O’Connor, Natasha Richardson, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Northern Chamber Orchestra, The Choirs of Blackburn Cathedral, The American Cathedral in Paris, France and many more.
Guest Conductor:-
The Moscow, Warsaw, Prague & Scottish Symphony Orchestras; Television, Radio and Recording Orchestras worldwide
Some London West End Theatre Productions:-
‘High Society’, ‘Mutiny!’, ‘ Piaf’, ‘Joseph & His Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘Matador’, ‘Evita’, ‘Grease’
Amongst the many venues:-
Sands Hotel, MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace – Las Vegas, Shrine Auditorium – Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall – New York City, Sydney Opera House, London Palladium, Royal Albert Hall, Palace Hotel St. Moritz, Hong Kong Club, Sandy Lane Barbados, Arenata Coliseum Manila, Johannesburg & Cape Town Concert Halls, BBC Radio & Television, all UK ITV companies, Assorted TV, Radio & Concert Halls throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
Member & Supporter of The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain.
Supporter of Research into a Cure for Menieres Disease.
Supporter of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy – a music charity dedicated to improving the lives of children & adults.
David Mellor
MUSIC
MEET ME IN PARIS
PEACE ANTHEM
NO MORE MR. DIXON
PRELUDE TO ROMANCE
RE: MILES
EARLY DOORS
MAY NEVER COME AGAIN
SPRING ARRIVED A WAY TOO SOON
POLKADOTS & MOONBEAMS
THAT’S ALL
EMPTY CHAIR
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Listen to Meet me in Paris
Album Background
Meet Me in Paris
This music is based on two people who cannot be together but agree to meet in a particular café in Paris on her birthday each year. Music describes one of them waiting expectantly…
Peace Anthem
The music and lyrics are a young person’s view of the world and their hopes and dreams for the future.
Prelude to Romance
Written and scored to be choreographed, this describes a young couple meeting for the first time, their initial attraction, their first dates and then both being carried away in romance.
Re Miles
‘Thoughts of the Miles Davis early years.
No More Mr. Dixon
A personal reflection of an unhappy time in life with the music the antithesis of those involved.
David Mellor
VIDEOS
David Mellor
CONTACT
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Photography Credits: Mikaela Morgan, Jean Panther, Matt Donnelly, Clive Lawrence