Peter Campbell Returns with New Vocal Jazz Collection ‘Haunted Melody’

Following the success of his critically acclaimed Old Flames Never Die—named one of JazzTimes’ Top 40 Albums of 2020—American-Canadian vocalist and producer Peter Campbell unveils his highly anticipated new album, Haunted Melody, due on September 12, 2025. Co-arranged with celebrated Canadian guitarist Reg Schwager and featuring an all-star lineup of Canadian jazz luminaries alongside American saxophonist Joel Frahm and Portuguese producer/composer Ernesto Leite, Haunted Melody offers an intimate, deeply personal journey through love, loss, and cultural discovery.

The album’s release was delayed by profound life changes for Campbell, including the loss of both parents in 2024, the end of a long-term relationship, and his return to Canada after several years living in Portugal. Haunted Melody emerged from this period of reflection and transformation, drawing on a rich palette of traditional jazz, French chanson, and Latin-inspired rhythms.

Campbell comments:

“While the songs tell different stories, together they form a narrative about memory, longing, and moving forward. The repertoire reflects my love of beautiful, lesser-known material and my desire to interpret it with fresh arrangements that honour both tradition and individuality.”

The 10-track collection features three Brazilian compositions—an influence sparked by Campbell’s time in Portugal and immersion in Lusophone culture—as well as rarely heard gems such as Leonard Cohen and Anjani Thomas’s “No One After You,” Curtis Lewis’s “He Never Mentioned Love” (a nod to Shirley Horn, one of Campbell’s inspirations), and Jacques Brel’s timeless “Song for Old Lovers,” Campbell’s personal favourite on the album.

With masterful performances from trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, flutist Bill McBirnie, pianists Adrean Farrugia and Reg Schwager (also on guitar), guitarist Michael Occhipinti, bassist Ross MacIntyre, drummer Ethan Ardelli, and percussionist Alan Hetherington, Haunted Melody resonates with warmth, sophistication, and emotional depth.

Peter Campbell ‘Haunted Melody’ album artwork