"I sing because I breathe" laughs Melinda Whitaker. That ethos sums up her life-long love of Jazz and her spirit's call to the songs of life. As a member of the Vancouver Jazz scene, Melinda has truly done it all. Melinda spent her early days broadcasting for Jazz Radio Canada from the Red Barrel Lounge at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. She has performed on CBC Radio and Television alongside Canadian music icons.

There are few master musicians on the Canadian Jazz scene with whom Melinda has not worked. Fraser McPherson, Oliver Gannon, Doug Riley, Ted Quinlan and Dave Robbins are just a few of the artists with whom Melinda has collaborated. In 2001, Melinda opened for the Ray Brown Trio at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Melinda Whitaker