I had the privilege of working with Hal at Annarino's Supper Club in Dayton Ohio with Take Five.
(from Northern Kentucky University website)
A multi-talented instrumentalist, vocalist and educator, Hal Melia plays soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flute, piccolo, clarinet and EWI (electronic wind instrument). He spent 1986 through 1991 in Los Angeles recording and arranging with top jazz and R&B groups (Tower of Power Horns, Buddy Rich Band, Billy Vera and the Beaters), and appearing in several major motion pictures ( Bugsy, Dick Tracy, The Marrying Man, Mobsters, Parent Trap III , and others). He has also recorded with artists on several labels, including MCA Records and Positive Music Records, Inc.
Back in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, Hal became Jazz Combo Director at Sinclair Community College, and was founder and director of Miami Valley Jazz Labs, a jazz school for kids. He also taught jazz at the Miami Valley School, as well as privately in the Southwestern Ohio area. Meanwhile, Hal attained his Masters Degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. From 1998 – 2004 Hal was Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies (1998-2000) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, where he taught with and worked with jazz great Bobby Watson. During his time at UMKC, Hal became an integral part of the Kansas City jazz scene, performing and recording in a variety of venues, and serving as President of the Jazz Ambassadors, a jazz support organization in Kansas City.
Hal now resides in Dayton, Ohio, and is in his second year as Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at Northern Kentucky University.
Hal's premier CD, WADUYATHINK , was released in 1993 on Positive Music Records and was a top 25 jazz CD. The recording features straight ahead jazz music, including both original compositions and original arrangements of jazz classics and standards. Along with Hal on Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Saxophones and Flute, the CD features Dayton area artists Jeff Hufnagle on Piano, Bob Bowen on Bass, and Steve Barnes on Drums. Special guest artist Kenny Drew, Jr. on Piano appears courtesy of Antilles Records.
Hal's mainstream performances focus on jazz in the big band and quartet settings. He plays somewhat regularly with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and has directed the Dayton Jazz Orchestra as well. His straight ahead jazz group, the Hal Melia Quartet, has presented clinics at colleges and universities, and performed concerts at venues throughout the Midwest. Fusion jazz is also part of Hal's repertoire, as is evidenced both by his recordings with Los Angeles artists and his involvement with fusion bands such as Reverse Wave in the Cincinnati, OH area. 
"waduathink" features:
