Blending early swing and hot jazz, Melody Graves brings a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. Close your eyes and you could be listening to an old gramophone record—warm, swinging, and full of soul.
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Drawing on the rich traditions of 1920s and ’30s jazz, Paula Hackney (aka Melody Graves) is inspired by the artistry of music legends such as Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Fats Waller and Ella Fitzgerald. 
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Based in Brisbane (Meanjin), Melody performs with some of South‑East Queensland’s finest jazz musicians across a range of ensembles—from the Melody Graves Quartet/Quintet, to the trad‑jazz Melody Graves Jazz Combo, through to the high‑energy eight‑piece Melody Graves and the Hokum Redemption (MGHR), featuring two vocalists. MGHR captivated audiences with standout performances at the 2024/2025 Woodford Folk Festival.
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Recent highlights also include appearances at Blues on Broadbeach Festival, Fever’s The Jazz Room: A Journey to New Orleans, Maleny Music Festival, Jumpers and Jazz in July, and Brisbane International Jazz Festival.
 
Available for festivals, venues, and corporate or private events, Melody Graves offers toe‑tapping jazz standards and red‑hot New Orleans grooves delivered with infectious live energy, strong musicianship, and an unmistakably vintage‑meets‑modern sound.