Melissa Stylianou – No Regrets

Melissa Stylianou’s No Regrets is an exemplary example of the reason I never get tired of listening to jazz standards. With her angelic voice, which is a reminiscent of Lena Horne’s, and sensational sense of swing, she makes old songs sound new again. Her reinterpretation of Gershwin’s “Nice Work If You Can Get It” begins with just the piano accompanying her voice, but progresses into a full swing with the tight trio consisted of pianist Bruce Barth, double-bassist Linda Oh and drummer Matt Wilson. Alto saxophonist Billy Drewes joins the band to back up Stylianou and gives an heart-rending solo on Duke Ellington’s “I Got it Bad.” The album closes out Thelonious Monk’s classic “I Mean You,” in which Stylianou shares her bebop chops with Barth. With the blend of playfulness and seriousness, No Regrets proves that taking on a challange doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.