Philly pianist, singer and composer Melody Gardot – beloved all in the jazz and the sophisticated contemporary pop scene – has been something of an ex-pat of late. While quarantining in Paris, she’s worked on a Zoom initiative to keep session players working during C-19 with a “digital global orchestra” where selected musicians – paid as if they were in the studio – contribute to a new track (for musical charts, backing tracks and instructions with which to record and film themselves performing the piece at home) that itself will serve for charitable donations to musician charities.
Gardot made this statement in an email “This project is a stunning example of how music is a universal language and how our awareness is greater than ever. Seeing what’s happening around the world, we cannot ignore our need for love and connection during this time. I am so happy to see the generous response displayed in the vast array of characters, from all corners of the globe, coming together to create this unique piece of music. It is a symbolic gesture for the way we can offer hope as we look towards the idea of creation in the future.”
Two weekends ago, however, Gardot became the first musician to hold a recording session at London’s Abbey Road since C-19, and with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, whose first time reuniting since the lockdown came through Melody. To be clear, she was still in France during the London Abbey Road sessions, and her producer, Larry Klein (of Joni Mitchell fame), was in Los Angeles Such is the magic of technology, a wondrous thing, that Melody could sing and record at the British hall that The Beatles made famous, all while puttering around Paris.
Now that track and its video “From Paris With Love,” makes its debut, featuring those selected musicians performing from their homes, and a montage of people who sent video portraits of themselves with messages of love from across the planet.
“This video is a kind of a digital postcard, made possible by the generous contributions of musicians and people currently confined,” wrote Gardot. “My hope is that this message will continue to find its way around the world and bring hope where hope is most needed to leave us all feeling more connected. My most heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the making of this project.”
Decca and Melody are waiving their profit on this track and will pay a minimum of £0.50 to the charity Protégé Ton Soignant for each permanent download sold in the UK and 0.20p for each permanent download sold outside of the UK or for every 150 streams.
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