Exhibition marks milestone in Katty Melanie’s musical career |06 June 2015

Famous local femal singer Katty Melanie is organising a series of activities to mark her 25 years in the music industry.

One of the activities is an exhibition which was launched last Friday under the theme ‘Mon Kontribisyon’.

The exhibition at Carrefour Des Arts features her photos and newspaper clippings of her career in music.

In remarks to officially launch the exhibition, the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange focused on the importance of our local artists.

“It is important to recognise a Seychellois artist when he or she has made a remarkable contribution and for me it is an honour to congratulate Katty but also stress that we should keep encouraging one another with musical or artistic talents,” he said.

“In particular we should guide those who are younger for them to have an interest and venture the same journey,” he added.

He pointed out that never has the artistic domain been so visible in the Seychelles, and that 25 years is a milestone which shows that Katty has the tenacity and stamina to have achieved this today.

This is a first for Katty Melanie who noted that one of her biggest accomplishments is being a combined author, composer and singer who is also a recording and performing artist.

She said it is not easy to do all of these together, as there are those who can sing but need others to write their songs.

“For me to be able to produce my albums by myself, of which there are 11 all together, is a big achievement,” she said.

“And now I see that my son has taken up an interest in music as well without me pressuring him. He is writing and composing his own work, and that makes me very proud.”

However she feels saddened by the fact that only a few of her fellow musicians showed up at the opening as she wanted to give them a token. Nevertheless, she believes that she will not be left disappointed by her fans who she is confident will turn up in big numbers to view the exhibition.

During the launch ceremony there were presentations of tokens to fellow musicians, music producers, sponsors, media houses and everybody else who have helped her throughout her 25 years in music.
Veteran musician John Wirtz had word of congratulations for Katty.

Besides Minister St Ange, also present to give Katty their support at this event were the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, fans, family and friends as well as other artists in the music business.

To mark this day she also launched her son’s CD with the title En pe letan and a CD produced by herself with 87 songs in total as well as MP3 and a DVD paying tribute to François Havelock, Jean Paul (her late brother), all her friends like Medra, Frank Pierre, Jean Sultan and other extras.

CDs and DVD are being sold at a very reasonable price during the time of the exhibition and the money raised will go towards a donation to the dialysis center.

Katty is also her son’s executive producer. Her celebration is all about saying thank you to all those who had been behind the scene while the singers stand at the forefront and leaving something behind that her kids as well as fans will remember her by.

This week Katty took part in Jean Marc Volcy’s show held at the mini stadium and which featured several artists (33 altogether) including her son.

Katty’s celebrations of her 25 years in music will end with her personal show on August 1.

The accompanying photographs were taken during the launch ceremony of Katty’s exhibition.

R. H.