Born on September 8, 1980, Melvin C. Eley III, known as "Trey", learned how to read music before he learned how to read words. He began his musical journey playing the piano at age 3. At the age of 9, when his father discontinued his piano lessons and gave him the choice of an instrument to play, young Trey Eley excitedly cried out to his father, "That one!" while pointing at a flute. This moment began the future career of a talented musician.Trey was always determined to be a musician. Students in Kenmoor Elementary School in Landover, Maryland had to be in the 5th grade to join the band, but the determined 9-year-old sneaked into the band as a 4th grader. By the time the teacher found out he was in the 4th grade, it was too late, and Trey was allowed to continue to participate.When he began attending Largo High School, he continued playing in the band, under the leadership of Band Director Russell Wright. Trey was the Piccolo section for the marching band and also participated in the stage band, the concert band, and the pep band as well. He directed the pep band for a year and then became the Student Band Director for the entire music department during his senior year. He was also asked to play with the school choir. During his junior year he participated in the Prince George's County Solo & Ensemble Festival and the Maryland State Solo & Ensemble Festival, where he performed the famous and complex piece, "Flight of the Bumble Bee". He received the second highest score and was told by the judges that he would have received the highest score, if a pianist had accompanied him. His senior year, he hired a pianist, went back to the competition, and claimed the highest score possible. During his senior year, he also played at the Kennedy Center in the All-County Band and Orchestra. At the age of 16, he started playing for the Lord, at his church, Ark of Safety Christian Church, and continues to serve there.After high school, Trey took a brief hiatus from music to attended the University of Maryland, College Park, and receive a bachelors degree in Computer Science. After college, Trey, moved by God to pick up his flute once again, began to pursue his musical craft once more.Since then, Trey has played with such musicians as Eric Byrd of the Eric Byrd Trio, Anthony Walker, Stephen Hurd, and several others. He has played at venues such as Blues Alley in Washington D.C., The Jazz Caf in Charlotte, NC, Zydeco Downtown, in Raleigh, NC, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Zanzibar on the Waterfront in Washington D.C. and many others. In 2005, he played at the Strathmore in Rockville, MD with United in Worship for a Live CD recording.Trey continues his music education by studying under renowned saxophonist Paul Carr. He also has begun composing songs and learning how to play the saxophone. Furthermore, he is currently an Artist & Repertoire representative for an independent record label, 24th Music. Today, Trey plays in a group called "Winds of Praise" with his father, Saxophonist, Melvin C. Eley Jr. and also performs in the Marcus Mitchell Project with a host of accomplished musicians.Trey Eley continues to participate and to grow in the music world. Though the flute is not a "traditional" jazz instrument, Trey continues to use his talent to prove that it deserves to be included in the genre right alongside the clarinet and the saxophone.[LOVEMYFLASH]
