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eclectic and collaborative jazz fusion

Mela was started by Frank Valente and Paul Sottnik while they were studying music at SUNY Fredonia. Before graduating they recorded the original Mela album in 2016 with drummer, Jake Payne. For the next few years the band performed regularly in Western New York. The band last met in January 2019 to record their new album "Mela Two".

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MELA MUSICIANS

Paul Sottnik - Keyboards, Vocals, Guitar, Composition

BA in music from Fredonia State University

paulsottnik@gmail.com 

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Frank Valente - Vibraphone, Composition

Jazz Masters at Fredonia State University

Vale5431@fredonia.edu 

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Jake Payne - Drumset, Composition

Jazz Masters at SUNY Purchase

jpayne518@gmail.com

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To schedule or work with the Mela Ensemble send a message to music@melacollective.com​

NOTEABLE COLLABORATORS

Bruce Johnstone - saxophone / flute

Carlos Rivera - saxophone

Tyler Will and Jaden Zhang - recorded Mela Two

Mike Sisto - played bass for shows in 2017

Shea Glasheen - played bass on the first album

Mitch Marg - percusion

Sam Shafer - played guitar for shows in 2017

Allen Harris - is a blues guitar master

PERFORMANCE VENUES

12 Gates Brewing Buffalo, NY

Lockhouse Distillery Buffalo, NY

Mojo's Jamestown, NY

Nietzsche's Buffalo, NY

Slyfest (2017) WNY

The Bugjar Rochester, NY

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