melodist

plural melodists

1. A performer or composer of melodies.

   Debussy was the last melodist.

   1929, Arthur Lourié, “An Inquiry into Melody”, in Modern Music, volume VII, number 1, page 10

   2 more examples

   And, happy melodist, unwearied, / Forever piping songs forever new;

   1819 May, John Keats, “Ode on a Grecian Urn”, in Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], published 1820, →OCLC, page 114

   At the same time Mr. Elling has proved his finesse as a Hartman-like melodist, on multiple albums and many more stages.

   2009 January 24, Nate Chinen, “Playfully Laying Claim to Songs of Two Jazz Greats”, in New York Times