Melina Malone
Thu 23 Oct 2025 (note: this event has already taken place)
6:30pm
€20
Step into an intimate evening of soulful music as acclaimed Irish-Greek artist Melina Malone returns to Cork Jazz Festival for her fourth year in a row. Joined by a stellar five-piece band, Melina reimagines her songs with a lush, jazz-infused sound for this one-night-only performance. Expect rich harmonies, improvisation, and the raw emotion that has made her one of Ireland’s most exciting voices in soul and jazz today.
Dublin-born Irish-Greek artist Melina Malone is quickly becoming one of the most exciting voices in neo-soul. Praised for her powerhouse vocals and emotive songwriting, Melina has carved out a unique space for herself with her debut album Aphrodite (October 2023). Drawing from iconic neo soul stars Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, alongside modern artists like Lianne La Havas and RAYE - her sound is a captivating blend of honest lyrics, sultry melodies, and an eclectic mix of genres.
Since the release of Aphrodite, Melina has made waves in both the Irish and international music scenes. She opened for Grammy-winning jazz legend Gregory Porter at his sold-out Cork Opera House show and has shared stages
with iconic acts like Macy Gray and Morcheeba. Her breakout year also saw her perform at Ireland Music Week, receive a stunning 9/10 album review from Hotpress Magazine, and garner support from BBC Radio 1, RTE 2FM, Notion, Noctis Mag, Today FM and more. In 2024, Melina’s star continued to rise with an exclusive RTÉ Radio 1 special, where two of her album tracks were arranged and performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Her recent single "If I Have to Change", is a standout release that showcases Melina’s evolving sound. Inspired by the quick-witted lyricism of Amy Winehouse, the track captures Melina’s deeply rich vocal while reflecting the vulnerability and strength at the heart of her songwriting.
The single has been widely praised, with support from Irish & UK radio, and earning placements on numerous Spotify editorial playlists, including New Music Friday UK, Fresh Finds, and BUTTER. It also earned Melina the coveted cover of Riffs and Runs, solidifying her position as one of the best new voices in R&B. Known as one of the strongest live performers in the country, Melina commands every stage she steps on with her presence, power, and authenticity. Her ability to connect deeply with her audience, coupled with her vocal prowess, makes her live shows unforgettable experiences. ‘Melina Malone has one of the strongest voices in Ireland.’ - GoldenPlec, 2020
'While shades of Winehouse and Badu are present, Malone carves her own identity, not only through her songwriting, but with her powerful and controlled vocals… and has undeniably raised the benchmark for Irish R&B… 9/10.' - Hotpress, Aphrodite review, 2023
