A FORMER Harrow pupil believes that " the feeling of being in front of a crowd and sharing something that I love so deeply is what moves me most."

Melissa James, 29, grew up to a father who loved playing records ranging from Caribbean: calypso, soca and reggae. He also enjoyed singing and he would play his mouth- organ.

Melissa began to take an interest in musical films at a young age.

She said: "I watched many films in sheer delight and enjoyed fantasizing with this concept of a musical world where we all sing and dance away our troubles."

She studied BTEC Media at Harrow College and Media Studies at Sussex University.

It was at university that she worked up the courage to sing at a little campus bar. Months later, she put out an advert for a guitar player in a Brighton newspaper, and through this she met Neil Hendry, a guitarist from Canada.

Melissa said: "I was in awe of the vocal talents of Ella Fitzgerald and moved by the heartfelt words and sounds of Billie Holiday. With both these vocalists as my guides I gradually formed a deeper bond with my voice, music and words."

After finishing her degree she then worked in magazines. However her love for music did not die out and once week she went to Brighton to play a gig with Neil in a little jazz restaurant.

Melissa also lived in Paris for over two years with her partner Richard.

It was there she played in a trio and had lots of opportunities to sing Jazz music.

Melissa now has a 13- month-old son called Yvann and is a full time mother but she does perform some evenings.

In the future Melissa would like to do voice overs and I would also like backing singers, someone to work in harmony with.

She has recently opened the Trafalgar Square site of the Jazz on the Streets festival which took place in July. On August 27 she will be playing at Le Quecumbar in Battersea High Street.

For more information log onto www.melissa-james.com