As a Grammy-nominated songwriter and artist of diverse abilities, Melinda Johnson draws upon her extensive musical background to continuously expand the scope of her work while bringing this musical diversity to a worldwide range of listeners.
Melinda oversees operations for her independent recording label Fixed-Wing. As producer, performer and arranger, she has released her third cirtically acclaimed CD entitled Cantico. This diverse collection of Early Music for flutes & harps is a lively showcase for her performance ensemble Duo Arioso. Her solo recordings include The Shepherd’s Carol which features her harp, vocal and multi-instrumental talents, while her critically acclaimed debut harp recording Gentle Vespers has been declared ‘a true journey of relaxation for mind, body and spirit.’ The Fixed-Wing roster of recordings, are in regular airplay on such far-reaching locations as the National Radio Networks of Vladivostok, Russia, Brazil and Lisbon, Portugal.
Within the genre of World Music, Melinda’s instrumental work is featured on the Parent Choice Award-winning, ‘World Music for Little Ears’ series on the Ellipsis Arts label. Mediterranean Lullaby features top recording artists from Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Morocco. Mama’s Lullaby holds authentic lullabies performed by female artists from around the world. A World of Love is a 3-disc collection of original and traditional cradle songs providing a musical tour as the world lulls their children to sleep.
An accomplished songwriter and vocal performer with original styles ranging from pop/rock, R&B, country and musical theater, Mindy has worked with the Grammy Award-winning group Sounds Of Blackness. This 30-voice gospel choir is produced by the legendary team of Jimmy ‘Jam’ Harris and Terry Lewis of Flyte Tyme Productions and under the musical direction of Gary Hines. Her song, ‘Familiar Waters’ is featured on their Grammy Award nominated album ‘Time For Healing’ on A&M/Perspective Records, with critics declaring her song ‘… the modern day spiritual of our times.’ Additionally, the World-renown Dayton Contemporary Dance Company features ‘Familiar Waters’ in a 15-minute piece entitled ‘Hush’ as part of their permanent repertoire. Inspired by the theme of overcoming adversity, ‘Hush’ received its World Premiere at The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC in April of 2001 and continues to be a featured work throughout the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s international tours.
Channeling her varied talents into the genre of musical theatre, Melinda trained within the Lehman Engel Musical Theatre workshops as well as with several private mentors. An abridged version of her original musical revue entitled ‘Something About Love’ – featuring 23 original songs, completed a record breaking, extended run with ‘The Company Rep’ Theatre Company at the El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District of Los Angeles, CA. In addition to ‘Something About Love,’ Melinda is currently working on an original musical comedy and a bio-pic/drama.
Furthering the musical range of the harp, Melinda Johnson has created a collection of Chinese folk music adapted and arranged for the western harp. Based on musical discoveries from her travels throughout China, Bright, Bright the Moon is the first volume of its kind featuring over 20 traditional folksongs from mainland China. Conveyed in a lush and evocative style perfectly suited for both pedal and lever harp, this collection is designed for intermediate and advanced levels of playing and is available internationally through Fixed-Wing Publishing.
In addition to various recording/scoring projects, Mindy maintains a schedule of numerous solo and ensemble performances with the harp. She has performed for international heads of state, celebrities, royalty, appeared in films & on television, and worked with such notable musicians as the Emmy Award-winning film & television composer Arthur Rubinstein, drummer John Densmore of The Doors, singer/songwriter Laurel Wiley and performer, songwriter & film composer Nancy Wilson of the classic rock band Heart. With her infusion of the harp into new musical realms, Melinda Johnson continues to re-define this timeless sound.
Melinda holds an MFA from The American Film Institute - Center For Advanced Film & Television Studies, in Los Angeles, CA. With an undergrad degree double-majoring in Music & Film/Television Production, from Metropolitan University in St. Paul, Minnesota, Melinda additionally trained at The University of Wisconsin, River Falls & The Royal College of Music in London.
The music of this unique singer/songwriter is mainstream pop with an eclectic mix of classical instrumentation and acoustic guitar. With timely lyrics blithely exploring love and loss, Laurel Wiley’s radio-savvy sound incorporates the concert pedal harp work of Melinda Johnson. Produced by Nancy Wilson of the classic rock group "Heart", Nancy quickly identified with Laurel's music and masterfully handled the unorthodox notion of incorporating the harp into this ethereal pop/rock sound. In addition to playing guitar, and a few background vocals, Wilson weaves together the Laurel Wiley groove to feature such psychedelic influxes as electric cello, electro-theremin and various other cool grunge colors. This delectable combination is the Laurel Wiley sound – a truly ethereal groove.
Released through – Ethereal Vibes Music