Jose Melis Trio

 

Jose Melis Trio

Jose Melis Trio

Jose Melis At The Piano

MGM Records E262 (10-inch disc)

1957

From the back cover: Jose Melis, America's new piano sensation, began the study of music at the age of three under the tutelage of his mother. At six years he entered the Havana Conservatory where he graduated; four years later, while there, he gave his first public concert. The precocity of Joe Melis is further demonstrated by the fact that the Cuban Government gave him a scholarship to study in Paris where he subsequently won a competition that gave him the advantage of studying with the eminent French pianist, Alfred Cortot.

Following his sojourn in Paris, Jose returned to Havana to do concert work which included performances with the Havana Symphony Orchestra. Shortly thereafter he went to Boston to study with the famed harpsichordist and concert pianist, Erwin Bodky, pupil of the famous Bussoni. After three years in Boston, another scholarship was awarded to him which took Jose to New York to study music further at the Julliard Graduate School of Music under Joseph and Rosa Lhevinne.

Besides being a true musician in the classical field, Jose is a finished interpreter and performer of current American and Latin-American music. He is a master of technique, but his technical ability does not displace the emotional interpretation of his performance and he is noted for his sensitive renditions of modern and classical works alike.

Melis' compositions are like his playing – artistic and individual; in which he blends the classical with the modern idiom for delightful results. One of his most unique and ingenious accomplishments is to offer a familiar tune as it would have been composed by the various masters. One of the cleverest of all his tricks is Jose's ability to translate any telephone number into a fine graceful melody which fascinates his audience.

After serving in the United States Army, Jose toured the states as a musical director of a U.S.O. Camp Show. He then moved directly into the popular field with appearances in New York and other leading entertainment centers. His versatility has brought him engagements from hotels and night clubs all over the country ranging from the sophisticated Le Ruban Bleu in New York to the distinguished Carleton Hotel in Washington. He has performed as soloist with the Boston Pop Orchestra.

Such superlative praise as "The Unusual Find of the Year", "Brilliant Pianist", "The Melis Touch of the Keyboard has Magic and Fasciation" has ben heaped on Jose Meilis by the press to the point of where he has even been compared to the great Iturbi.

M-G-M Records takes pride in presenting Jose Melis and His Piano

September Song

The Terry Theme from "Limelight"

The Dream Of Olwen

Intermezzo from "Cavalleria Rusticana"

Moon Of Manakoora

Once In A Lifetime 

Serenata

Granada