photo by - Darlene Murray


Melody Park is a female fronted band with an eclectic collection of rock and pop music. This full-time professional group captivate an audience with their high energy live performance that breathes life into songs filled with catchy choruses and melody. The rich and powerful vocals flow through the music and tight performance of the band inducing sonics that find a place ringing over and over in your head. Melody Park has been compared to classic artists such as Blondie and Pat Benatar while resembling modern artists Bif Naked, Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, and Kelly Clarkson.

Melody Park originaly formed October 2004 in Terrace, BC, Canada. The group began recording in Terrace and later moved the project to Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver the summer of 2005. Once production was complete Melody Park released their debut CD "Playground of Sound" in January 2006. After a brief tour of northwest British Columbia, supported by Standard Radio "The Mix 590", the drummer and bass player left the group. The remaining members Christa (Melody) Klukas, Brian Condie and Rossano Valmonte moved the main base of operations to Calgary, AB, Canada in August after searching many markets in Canada for players. Melody Park emerged performing in the Calgary scene June of 2007 with bass player Randy Burton, while new drummer Greg Collins joined the band in February 2008. The band decided to diversify their business and incorporate a cover show based on artists the group sounds like to use it as a vehicle to showcase their original music. That decision has made Melody Park one of the most popular bands in the region, keeping them booked and working full-time. Performing the cover show has enabled Melody Park to expose and market their own music every night in clubs that don't book aspiring original bands. With people cheering and dancing to their songs everywhere they play, Melody Park is eager to take the show on tour in Canada and other International markets in 2008. Every audience is a chance to make new fans of the "Playground of Sound" and Melody Park.

In 2007 Melody Park accomplished releasing their debut video for the single "Hello", track 1 from the "Playground of Sound" CD. The video's release had been delayed and somewhat bitter sweet as only 3 members remained since filming the production. However, the feedback and response to the video has been a welcome and learning experience which the group plans to utilize in a new video production sometime in 2008.
Amidst all the video planning and live performing, Melody Park is also busy writing and developing new music for future singles and eventually a full length CD.The group already has 40+ songs in pre-production but there is presently no set timeline for completion of a new CD. However, the band would like to record and release some new music to fans before the end of the year.

Achievements

- independant release 11 song CD "Playground of Sound" 2006
- independant music video production, "Hello" 2007 (Playground of Sound 2006)
- airplay on "The Mix 590" Standard Radio / Northern British Columbia division
- airplay on CFNR 92.1 / Canada's First Nations Radio : British Columbia
- airplay on "The Kong Radio 93.5FM" in Kaui, Hawaii
- airplay on "Music Radio 97FM" in Trinidad & Tobago
- album available at ITunes, Napster, Emusic, Sony Connect and many more popular digital sources
- over 1500 CD's sold at shows and online since the 2006 printing
- 80 live shows in 2007

This is Melody Park

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•  An excellent album

If you have been waiting for a sound that is innovative and eclectic (it’s soulful… it's jazzy...it's bluesy...it’s funky…), yet savvy enough to ride the waves of popular radio, look no further. This is a dynamic artist in touch with modern culture and carrying a message that is impacting those who encounter it.

The soulful sound of singer/songwriter/musician Greg Sczebel (“suh-bell”) is steadily capturing the attention of a wide range of music enthusiasts. From the moment you first hear the rhythms of his piano you will be intrigued. His talent is obvious...but then the vocals glide onto the scene and you see that there is more to this artist than just a good beat. His lyrics are intelligent, showing a mature depth, and he doesn’t sacrifice the musicality for catchy hooks. Greg is passionately committed to making good music.

And it's obvious others are catching on. He has been recognized for his outstanding talent as an artist, having been honored with many remarkable opportunities and awards. He has shared the stage with a variety of the entertainment industries’ top performers, including Grammy Award-Winning Producer, David Foster, jazz crooner, Michael Bublé, 6–time Juno Award Winner, Colin James - as well as Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None the Richer), Bebo Norman, Carolyn Arends, Out of Eden, Shawn McDonald and more.

The end of 2004 brought Sczebel a Canadian Urban Music Award nomination, four CGMA (Covenant Award) nominations, and ultimately two CGMA awards (‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ and ‘Rap/Hip-Hop/Dance Song of the Year’), as well as an Okanagan Musician Award for ‘Gospel Artist of the Year’ for the second year in a row.

In 2005 Sczebel continued to gain momentum by picking up a JUNO AWARD (Canada’s Grammy©) for his debut album “Here to Stay” in the category of ‘Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.’ Shortly after, Sczebel was nominated for a grand total of five Shai (“shay”) Awards (Canada’s Gospel Music People’s Choice Awards) – ultimately taking home 3 of these - ‘Pop/Contemporary Album,’ ‘Urban/Soul Album’ and ‘Song of the Year’ for his single “In the Pocket”. In addition, Sczebel was a grand prize–winner in the international 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Competition, for his title track, “Here to Stay” and more recently was a finalist in the R & B category for the 2005 John Lennon Songwriting Competition for his song “You’ve Got It”.

At the close of 2005 Greg was also privileged to sign exclusive endorsement deals with both Audix Microphones and Yamaha USA Pianos & Keyboards.

And this is just the beginning of what is quickly becoming a well-established music career. But in spite of the acclaim, Sczebel still finds the most value in the personal connection between music fans and his songs. "To be validated by the awards and opportunities is always encouraging. The most exciting thing though, is hearing that my music is connecting with people. If I can continue creating music that impacts those who listen to it, I'd love to still be doing this 40 years from now." If the present is any indication to the future, Greg Sczebel is well on his way to reaching his goal.

Career Highlights:
-2006 International Songwriting Competition Finalist for the song, “In the Pocket”
-2006 Multiple performances at the 2006 Winter NAMM Show - Anaheim, CA
-2005 Signs exclusive endorsement deal with Yamaha USA Pianos & Keyboards
-2005 Signs exclusive endorsement deal with AUDIX USA Microphones
-2005 Guest performer on CMT Canada’s “Paul Brandt & Friends: A Rocky Mountain Christmas in Banff” TV Special
-2005 Extensive touring throughout Canada; 6-week cross-country tour in April/May
-2005 John Lennon International Songwriting Contest Finalist for the song, "You’ve Got It"; R & B Category
-2005 Western Canadian Music Award – “Outstanding Christian Recording”
-2005 Covenant Award – “Urban Song of the Year” for the song, “Everybody”
-2005 4 CGMA (Covenant Award) Nominations, including “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Producer of the Year’
-2005 Juno Award - “Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year”
-2005 3 Shai Awards – “Song of the Year” for the song “In the Pocket”, “Pop/Contemporary Album”, “Urban/Soul Album”
-2005 Okanagan Musician Award – “Gospel Artist of the Year”
-2005 5 time SHAI Award Nominee, including “Artist of the Year”, “Song of the Year” and “Male Soloist of the Year”
-2004 John Lennon International Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Winner for the song, “Here to Stay”;
Gospel/Inspirational Category
-2004 “Here to Stay” charts as the #1 selling release by an independent artist to Canadian Christian retailers in 2004.
-2004 Title track, "Here to Stay" featured on episode of UPN's hit TV series "Kevin Hill", starring Taye Diggs
-2004 Reunites with Producer, David Foster to perform at Foster Foundation charity event
-2004 Canadian Urban Music Award Nominee - "Gospel Recording of the Year"
-2004 2 CGMA (Covenant) Awards - “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Rap/Hip-Hop/Dance” ("Lights Are Comin' On")
-2004 4 CGMA (Covenant Award) Nominations
-2004 Re-records Bee Gees' hit, "Lonely Days" for major ad campaign by Lifetime Television, New York, NY
-2004 Winner, Okanagan Musician Award – “Gospel Artist of the Year”
-2004 Featured on Sonicbids compilation CD – Chosen out of 20,000 entries
-2003 Named “Best Emerging Artist” by VIBE Gospel Music
-2003 Gospel Music Association (GMA) Song Competition Regional Winner (for the song "Perhaps")
-2002 Performs with Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster as a winner in Foster’s BC -wide talent search

QUOTES:

PAUL BRANDT, AWARD WINNING COUNTRY RECORDING ARTIST
"Greg Sczebel is just one of those artists with "It". He's got that X-factor, that undefinable thing that you need to be a successful in this business. It's undeniable that God has gifted him with an incredible talent to communicate to people's hearts and minds through music. I'm glad I got to know him before the rest of the world discovers him, because someday I'll be able to brag about how I knew him before he became a superstar."

KEVIN EDELMAN, MUSIC SUPERVISOR - METALMAN MEDIA INC.
"Greg is an incredible talent. One of the best young artists I’ve heard. His style and voice are unique and inspiring."

CAROLYN ARENDS, DOVE AND SHAI AWARD WINNING SINGER/SONGWRITER
"Greg Sczebel floors me. He sings with "soul" in every sense of the word. He writes insanely hooky, deeply moving songs about important things. It’s tempting to use phrases like "Next Big Thing", but Greg Sczebel isn’t the next anything. He’s now, and his music is truly great."

DIONNE SMITH, PRESIDENT, VIBE GOSPEL MUSIC
"I do not hesitate in the least to suggest that Greg Sczebel, will not only be one of Canada’s future leading gospel artists, but that his impact will go far beyond our borders."

HEATHER CLARK, HEATHERCLARKBAND
"Greg is an extremely gifted vocalist with a great ability to write and arrange music. His devotion to his gift is strong and undivided. His musicality along with his ability to reach an audience makes him a pleasure to both listen to and experience."

JAYLENE JOHNSON, SINGER / SONGWRITER
"When Greg Sczebel plays, joy electric runs through the crowd. Here is someone who not only inspires with a fresh lyrical approach in his songwriting, but who can also deliver the goods vocally and instrumentally. Most engaging, however, is his unassuming and humble posture...here is one to watch and watch closely, because he is going to fly..."

•  Sing It Stevie Wonder!