Some actors learn how to sing and occasionally dance so they can land a plumb role on Broadway or another big stage but this is the story of an actress who decided to turn to singing and we are the lucky ones. Melissa Stylianou is an incredibly gifted jazz vocalist who arrived in New York City from Toronto Canada in 2005. 
Her effortless reading of Sting’s “Tea In The Sahara” (Bachelorette-2001) is elegant, her interpretation of Lennon and McCartney’s “Blackbird” (Sliding Down-2006) enchanting and she reveals a flirtatious side with Bjork’s “Bachelorette”.
Long-time companions Artie Roth (bass) and Kim Ratcliffe (guitar) are among the musicians who accompany Stylianou on both CDs. The trio played together during a five-year period, performing gigs in Toronto that often had open sections and elements of free playing. She feels it prepared her for tackling songs such as “Tea In The Sahara” and “Bachelorette”.
Roth and Ratcliffe reworked the arrangements for “Blackbird” adding some additional bars to lengthen the melody. “Harmonically there is a lot to work (while) the melody is very compelling and strong. It totally takes your ear and doesn’t sound like a typical pop song,” Stylianou says in describing the approach the ensemble took to the tune. Al Hetherington’s hand played percussion also accompanies Sylianou’s “Blackbird” vocals.
Stylianou possesses an expansive vocabulary that also includes standards and swing. “I had gone from musical theatre as a teenager to listening to jazz and was really into Ella (Fitzgerald), Sarah (Vaughan) and Billie (Holiday). For a short time, I got into some really old stuff, swing, jump and jive. For a while, I had a swing band called Slim’s Lucky Number. I let it go when I discovered that singing tunes about potato salad was not challenging enough for me,” she says.
Stylianou is not singing about potato salad or anything else mundane these days and if her sassy reading of “Little Boy Blue” (Bachelorette) is any indication, there will be more than one gentleman feeling the need to loosen his tie during her live performances. “Little Boy Blue” also demonstrates Stylianou’s knack for surrounding herself with equally gifted musicians. Nancy Wilson’s incredible organ chops are the only excuse you need to purchase Bachelorette—but wait there is more. Trumpeter John MacLeod blows a good groove while Kim Ratcliffe’s guitar work is scintillating.
For some young artists moving to New York City long considered to be one of the bastions for jazz music can be a cruel eye opening experience. While there are, numerous venues in which to perform there are also many artists vying for those openings. The young Canadian however sings the praises of her colleagues for helping to make the adjustment smooth. “The energy of my peers is much different than when I was living in Toronto. There is a very different mentality and it is energetic. “The peer group of singers has been so supportive in helping me to get gigs,” she says also noting that numerous artists have turned up at her performances. She then adds, “It has been a really eye opening and encouraging experience to live here.”
January 11th at the International Association For Jazz Education Conference held in New York City, Stylianou performed during one of the artist showcases. It was the second time she had performed at an IAJE event, the first time coming during the 2003 conference held in Toronto. In typical Stylianou fashion, she takes time to express gratitude for the opportunities that come her way and remarks, “Just having my name on the program was a huge amazing thing because I am new to New York.” She allows that this year’s showcase performance opened the door for an April 3 gig at New York’s Birdland jazz club. For the Birdland gig Jamie Reynolds (piano), Chris Lightcap (bass) and drummer Rodney Green will appear with Stylianou.
Stylianou’s gentle vocals on the Billie Holiday tune “That Old Devil Called Love”, evidence the ease she feels with the song, a tune she has been singing since the late nineties.
March 2007
