Melody Gardot

Let’s start with her voice: It possesses an almost beguiling sensitivity to the lyrics of the songs; it nestles against the melodies, at times self-assured, at times delicate as a whisper, at times smoky and seductive. On top of that, she’s incredibly versatile, moving effortlessly back and forth between the worlds of jazz and singer-songwriter pop—and everything in between. All of this speaks volumes for Melody Gardot—because refusing to be pigeonholed is likely her mantra. This also applies to her award-winning, highly diverse, and successful albums, which she records sometimes as part of a chamber music ensemble, sometimes in a duo with pianist Philippe Baden Powell, or with a full orchestra. In 2008, the American singer and composer—born in 1985—released her first full-length album—four years after a dramatic, life-changing accident, following which she had to fight her way back into life. With the help of music, she succeeded. And how!