Author

Mel's experience of playing music and as a social worker and community development worker in London has enriched his interest in writing about social history of popular music - Rock Around Lewisham (1990). Mel has also written album liner notes and had articles published about jazz singer Adelaide Hall, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks,  south east London rock & roll, The Who, David Bowie, The Clash, Zoot Money and jazz guitarist Billy Jenkins.  His recent novels have also provided a vehicle for his characters with strong popular music themes:  Be Lucky! (2003) & Eva’s Waltz (2006) published by Deptford Forum Publishing.

Musician

As a drummer Mel has spent over forty years gigging.

Working Men's clubs, pubs and sixties & seventies blues club scene. Played at Studio 51, The Marquee, The Flamingo, Les Enfants Terribles, 100 Club.

Accompanied and supported black American blues legends Son House, Howlin Wolf, Eddie Guitar Burns, Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup (BBC TV appearances on Late Night Line Up & Disco 2), Lightnin’ Slim, Juke Boy Bonner, Champion Jack Dupree and Curtis Jones. During seventies & eighties with folk rock band, Traitors Gait playing festivals. He now plays with The Flying Chaucers who have performed at Glastonbury and many major venues in UK as well as playing drums with UK blues legend Shakey Vick & Chris Youlden’s band – Waydown, UK clubs and European festivals.

Latest venture is a Jazz Ensemble  named "Jazz Circus"  with poet - jazzman john, a rather eccentric 60 plusser who lives in Lewisham and writes some great stuff and guitarist Billy Jenkins.

Talks

Mel is available for talks on fifties & sixties popular music. Sixties London blues scene, London Sings - Rock & Popular Songs About London. Background to his two novels – South East London music scene and Wartime London – Jazz Scene as well as readings from both of his latest novels.

Contact

Mel Wright can be contacted by email at Mel Wright