Melvyn Price

Biography

Melvyn Price was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and emerged as a talented trombonist and conga player during the vibrant jazz and funk scenes of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Deeply affected by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the ensuing political turmoil in the United States, Price made the pivotal decision to leave his homeland and settle in Sweden. There, he quickly integrated into the Scandinavian jazz community, becoming a familiar figure among local musicians and audiences alike.

In Sweden, Price established his own record label, Meldor, and released two early 1970s albums—'Jazzbalettrytmer' and 'Rytmer II'—which blended jazz and Latin rhythms, originally intended for dance classes. His 1974 album 'Rhythm and Blues' featured prominent Swedish jazz musicians such as drummer Fredrik Norén and bassist Björn Alke, and showcased a style rooted in late 1960s and early 1970s jazz with subtle influences of Afro-funk. Though his work remained relatively obscure for decades, the reissue of 'Rhythm and Blues' in 2008 sparked renewed interest among collectors and jazz enthusiasts, cementing his legacy as a unique contributor to the international jazz-funk scene.

Fun Facts

• Melvyn Price left the United States for Sweden in direct response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the political unrest that followed.
• He founded his own label, Meldor, to release his music independently in Sweden.
• His early albums were originally intended as rhythm accompaniments for dance classes, blending jazz and Latin influences.
• The 1974 album 'Rhythm and Blues' remained a 'lost' record for decades before being reissued in 2008, gaining a cult following among jazz-funk collectors.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Not specified in available sources - No direct information on specific teachers or mentors.

Key Collaborators

• Fredrik Norén - Drummer featured on 'Rhythm and Blues' album. (Rhythm and Blues (1974)) [1974]
• Björn Alke - Bassist featured on 'Rhythm and Blues' album. (Rhythm and Blues (1974)) [1974]

Artists Influenced

• Not specified in available sources - No direct information on specific artists influenced by Price.

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Voodoo Love Dance (Melvyn Price - Rhythm and Blues (50th Anniversary Remaster))
2. Happiness is... (Melvyn Price - Rhythm and Blues (50th Anniversary Remaster))
3. Last train (Melvyn Price - Rhythm and Blues (50th Anniversary Remaster))
4. Toward Brazil (Melvyn Price - Rhythm and Blues (50th Anniversary Remaster))
5. Behind Kungsträdgården (Melvyn Price - Rhythm and Blues (50th Anniversary Remaster))
6. Five o'clock traffic (Melvyn Price - Rhythm and Blues (50th Anniversary Remaster))

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz