Mélissa Lesnie

Every Wednesday and Thursday, Cinq Codet joins forces with Alex Swing Events to offer you varied and quality jazz evenings, in the chic and cozy atmosphere of its Chiquette restaurant.

Born in Australia, Mélissa studied Musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium before moving to Paris.

She has performed on NBC’s Today Show live from Paris to a televised audience of 3 million. She has sang at the Grand Trianon palace at Versailles and for the US ambassador at the American Residence in Paris, as well as at the Sorbonne for the presentation of the Legion of Honor.

Mélissa has performed at many of the iconic jazz venues in the French capital, including Sunset/Sunside, Le Bal Blomet, 38 Riv and Le Barbizon. You may see her on the stages of major jazz festivals in France, most recently at Jazz en Touraine 2024, Jazz in Loc in Loctudy, Brittany. She also sings in some of the French capital’s most prestigious hotels and restaurants, including Les Deux Magots, Le Crowne Plaza and Lutetia. She has paid tribute to Josephine Baker in official events organised by the Mairie of the 13th arrondissement (inauguration of a sculpture in Josephine Baker’s honour) and at Mme Baker’s former residence at Le Vésinet for the Journées du Patrimoine. Overseas concerts have brought Melissa to Croatia and to Cambodia (where she has sang at the Raffles hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap).

Melissa has recorded four albums, including two projects with the pianist Jean-Baptiste Franc (Stride Piano Champion of the world, 2018). She has collaborated closely with the composer JC Hopkins (Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux). She relishes the Great American Songbook and swing repertoire, connecting with her audience through good old-fashioned storytelling and a delicately spun musical phrase. She sings Billie Holiday with fresh ears… and fresh heartache. Melissa also secretly plays theremin.