Mel’s and Jazz N Soul Music present The Funk Factor featuring Bassist Melvin Gray and an All-Star Band, Thursday January 25th; 6:30p and 9:00p, at Mel's at Rozzelles Ferry Landing, 2821 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte NC 28208.

(Bassist) Melvin Gray, was born in Woodleaf, NC. When Melvin was a child all he could think about was playing the guitar. His first guitar was his mother’s fly swatter until the neighborhood mailman convinced Melvin’s mother to buy him his first guitar at the age of 8 years old. Melvin was surrounded by talent on both sides of his family. Guitarist/Vocalist Daryl Rice gave Melvin his first real paying gig at the Velvet Cloak Inn in Raleigh NC, which paid him $250.00 a week. Soon after at the age of 19 Melvin met John P Kee at UNCC in Charlotte, NC. They became fast friends and were roommates to work on music together. 

Burt Gellman, who was the owner of Jonathan’s Jazz Cellar in Charlotte, NC gave Melvin the opportunity to put what he had learned to work. He managed to put together a band called Maria Howell and the 7th street band. As a bass player Melvin has performed live and recorded with many artist such as John P Kee, New Life Community Choir, VIP MASS Choir, Li’l Rufus Children’s Project, Gene Moore, Jr, Bishop Rance Allen, Nick Allen, Jr, Frank McComb, Jason Nelson, Bslade, Caleb Sean, Christopher L Gray and the NC Mass Choir, Shirley Ceasar, Donald Laurence and the Tri-City Singers, LeJeune Thompson, Hezekiah Walker, Rodney Posey, The L.A. Gospel Music Workshop, Atlanta Gospel Music Workshop, Walter Hawkins, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Karen Clark Sheard, Twinkie Clark, The Clark Sisters, Richard Smallwood, Betty Griffin, Tarolyn Ramsey, Men of Standard, Stephanie Mills, Lonnie Leston, Ronnie Laws, Joe Sample, McCoy Tyner, Lionel Hamilton, Bill Evans, Tony Hayes & Maria Howell and many more. 

Today as a resident of Kannapolis, NC Melvin feels that his biggest accomplishment is to be able to make a living from what he loves to do. He has traveled the world to places like, Europe, Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas and all over the United States. Melvin continues to do studio and live performances but maintains playing for his church at Friendship Christian Church under Bishop McCollough in Gastonia, NC. Mel’s favorite scripture comes from the book of James: My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation; knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Experience Mel's at Rozzelles Ferry Landing and "Take a Walk on The West Side! Free Parking, 5 minutes from I-77 and Uptown!